Virginia Tech Football: Will the Real Logan Thomas Please Stand Up?

It is hard to believe that Virginia Tech’s quarterback on Saturday against Miami was the same guy that played against Clemson the week before. Logan Thomas had a career day against the Hurricanes. His statistics were ridiculous. Add that with the fact that he was able to lead the winning touchdown drive in the final minutes of the game and you have the possible building of a legend in Blacksburg.

The question now is was Thomas’s performance an enigma or a trend?

Since the moment Tyrod Taylor was drafted, all of the pressure from Hokie Nation was placed squarely on the shoulders of Logan Thomas. Thomas was recruited as a tight end, but the coaching staff was able to talk him into playing quarterback.

His 6’6” frame provided him with an advantage that Taylor never had; a clear view of the field. Thomas is quick enough to be elusive and big enough to run over defenders, but the questions about Thomas never revolved around his legs. The real question was whether or not he was an accurate enough passer.

Those questions didn’t die down early in the season. They instead became more consistent. Thomas was mediocre during the out-of-conference schedule. He wasn’t able to play a consistent game against Arkansas State or Marshall, and his worst game out of the first four came against East Carolina.

The good news for the Hokies was that they started the season 4-0 despite inconsistent quarterback play. Thomas was able to hide behind a perfect record but that quickly changed. The Hokies had their worst game of the year against Clemson with Thomas at the helm.

Most of the blame, rightfully so, was placed on the young quarterback. Thomas was only able to complete 15-of-27 passes for 125 yards and an interception. The offense played so poorly that they weren’t able to score a single touchdown.

This caused the Hokies’ fan base to panic. Backup quarterback Mark Leal suddenly seemed like the Hokies best option. That talk quieted down quickly on Saturday.

Thomas may have had the best day a quarterback has ever had while playing for the Hokies. He completed 23-of-25 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 28 yards and two touchdowns. His play of the game was a 19-yard scamper to the end zone in the final minute. The run won the game, but is this really the start of a legend?

He was great passing the ball against the Hurricanes, but some fans are quicker to place that on Miami’s defense than on Thomas’s arm. Thomas’s decision making in the run game may have been the only (slight) blemish on his masterful performance.

Virginia Tech decided to run the read option with Thomas. Most of the time when Thomas kept the ball (instead of handing it to David Wilson) it was the wrong decision, but he made the right decision on the game winning touchdown. As Thomas matures, the read option could become a great weapon for the Hokies.

Thomas led the Hokies to an amazing win, but was it his coming out party? Taylor was able to announce to the world that he was a great quarterback in a comeback win against Nebraska during his junior year. From that point on he was almost unstoppable. Does Thomas’ performance accomplish this same feat?

Thomas has the potential to play like this every week. He can win games for the Hokies, but he is still very young and inexperienced. This wasn’t a fluke performance but that doesn’t mean he won’t make mistakes the rest of the season. Thomas showed Hokie fans the future on Saturday not the present.

The Hokies need Thomas to play well in order to win, but they don’t need him to play perfect like he did Saturday. All that being said, Thomas and the Hokies can’t revel in the performance too long since they will play a very good Wake Forest team next Saturday.