East Carolina vs. Virginia Tech: Game Grades, Analysis for the Hokies

One week after stunning the Ohio State Buckeyes, the No. 17 Virginia Tech Hokies were upset by the East Carolina Pirates 28-21.

Virginia Tech had a poor overall performance, and it certainly is reflected in underwhelming game grades.

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	D+	C
Run Offense	D-	C-
Pass Defense	D	C
Run Defense	B	B+
Special Teams	C	B-
Coaching	D	D+

Pass Offense

Michael Brewer may have finished with 298 yards and three touchdowns, but the Texas Tech transfer had a disappointing game. His two interceptions were absolutely terrible decisions, and he never looked comfortable throughout the loss.

Cam Phillips emerged as Brewer's favorite target in the second half, but Joshua Stanford and Ford had a couple costly drops that ended drives.

Run Offense

Though Marshawn Williams was fantastic during his 60-yard third quarter, Virginia Tech gave him a single carry in the final frame. East Carolina defensive tackle Terry Williams was a constant force in the backfield, but the Hokies started to contain him.

Pass Defense

Michael Shroyer/Getty Images

Call it an unsuccessful sandwich. Shane Carden picked apart the VT secondary early, then the unit tightened up. However, Cam Worthy made Brandon Facyson and Kyshoen Jarrett look silly, snaring six passes for a ridiculous average of 37.3 yards.

Overall, the Hokies allowed 427 yards and three touchdowns through the air—a very forgettable performance.

Run Defense

Virginia Tech allowed a couple long runs but was ultimately successful in limiting the Pirates ground game to an average of just 3.0 yards on 25 attempts. Additionally, the team's lone takeaway was a forced fumble that Kendall Fuller recovered at the 1-yard line.

Special Teams

Although Joey Slye missed a 52-yard field goal wide right, he knocked home three extra points. Punter A.J. Hughes averaged 40.8 yards per kick, and Greg Stroman managed a solid 8.0 yards per punt return.

Nothing special, nothing terrible for Beamer Ball.

Coaching

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The Hokies offense was essentially nonexistent in the first quarter, but it slowly improved. Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler eventually helped turn things around, and Virginia Tech converted on six of its final eight third downs after going 2-of-11.

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster constantly used Cover 0 and Cover 1, leaving the cornerbacks hanging out to dry with no safety help over the top. Carden tossed a handful of jump balls, and East Carolina won the majority of those battles.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.