Jump to content

2014 VMI Keydets football team

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Lepricavark (talk | contribs) at 04:52, 2 February 2020 (→top: added short description). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2014 VMI Keydets football
ConferenceSouthern Conference
Record2–10 (1–6 SoCon)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Campbell (5th season)
Offensive schemePro Style
Defensive coordinatorGreg Harris (8th season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumAlumni Memorial Field
(Capacity: 10,000)
Seasons
← 2013
2015 →
2014 Southern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 8 Chattanooga $^   7 – 0     10 – 4  
Samford   5 – 2     7 – 4  
Western Carolina   5 – 2     7 – 5  
Wofford   4 – 3     6 – 5  
The Citadel   3 – 4     5 – 7  
Furman   2 – 5     3 – 9  
Mercer   1 – 6     6 – 6  
VMI   1 – 6     2 – 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from The Sports Network Poll

The 2014 VMI Keydets football team represented the Virginia Military Institute in the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. It was VMI's 124th football season, as the Keydets were led by seventh year head coach Sparky Woods. They played their home games at 10,000-seat Alumni Memorial Field, as they have since 1962. This was VMI's first season as a member of the Southern Conference, following an eleven-year stint in the Big South.

VMI finished the year with a 2–10 record, winning only two games for the fourth consecutive season. VMI opened the season on the road with a narrow 42–38 loss at Bucknell, followed by a 48–7 defeat at the hands of FBS member Bowling Green. After a dominant win over Davidson in the home opener, the Keydets would lose six consecutive games, including close losses against Mercer and Gardner–Webb in double overtime. Their first (and only) SoCon win came against Furman on November 1, a 31–15 triumph. It was the school's first win over the Paladins since 1979, ending a 21-game losing streak.[1] VMI ended the year with a 45–25 loss to their archrival The Citadel in the Battle for the Silver Shako, otherwise known as the Military Classic of the South.

Less than a day after the season's conclusion, VMI Athletic Director Dave Diles chose not to renew Woods' contract.[2] Woods posted a 17–62 overall record at VMI in seven seasons.

Before the season

Previous season

The 2013 season was VMI's last in the Big South Conference, as the school accepted in invitation to join the Southern Conference in May 2013.[3] The Keydets had called the Southern Conference home for nearly eighty years, from 1924 to 2003, but left for the Big South that year amidst struggling athletic programs. After an eleven-year stint in the league, VMI returned to their roots, along with Mercer and East Tennessee State, another former SoCon member. The three schools effectively replaced Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, who left for the FBS Sun Belt Conference, as well as Elon, who departed for the Colonial Athletic Association.[3]

The Keydets began their season with a shutout loss to the #14-ranked Richmond Spiders on August 31.[4] Following a home-opening win over Glenville State, which featured a dramatic last-second goal line stand to preserve the 34–27 victory, VMI was defeated handily by North Greenville, a Division II independent, by a score of 37–24.[5][6] It was the first of what be seven consecutive losses for the Keydets, which included losses against Virginia, Robert Morris in double-overtime, and #3 Coastal Carolina.[7] The Keydets only conference and FCS win came against Gardner–Webb, a 27–9 victory.[8] The following week, VMI battled The Citadel in the 69th edition of the Military Classic of the South. The Bulldogs broke away late to win, 31–10, with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone.[9] VMI closed out the season with a home loss against Bucknell, ending the team's season at 2–10 and 1–4 in Big South play. It was the program's thirty-second consecutive non-winning season, and tenth consecutive losing season.[10]

Personnel

Coaching Staff

VMI returns head coach Sparky Woods, now in his seventh year with the program. Woods, a native of Oneida, Tennessee, has a 15–52 record at VMI, and previously coached at Appalachian State for four seasons.[11] He led the Mountaineers to NCAA playoff appearances in 1986 and 1987, and went as far as the semifinals. He has also coached at South Carolina, and served numerous stints as an assistant between various college and NFL teams.

Coordinating the offense is Matt Campbell, a former NFL player who played with the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Campbell also works as the offensive line coach, and is countered by defensive coordinator Greg Harris, in his eighth year with the team. Harris is a 1997 graduate of VMI.[12]

Name Position Seasons at
VMI		 Alma mater
Sparky Woods Head coach 7th Carson-Newman (1976)
Matt Campbell Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line 5th USC-Beaufort (2009)
Greg Harris Defensive Coordinator 8th Virginia Military Institute (1997)
Ron Mattes Tight Ends 1st Virginia (1985)
Eric Brown Inside Linebackers 4th South Carolina (1993)
Justin Hamilton Outside Linebackers 1st Virginia Tech
Brad Robbins Wide Receivers 2nd UVA–Wise (2010)
Greg Shockley Running Backs 10th Virginia Tech (1999)
Trent Walker Secondary 4th Auburn (2009)
Don Woods Defensive Line 7th Tennessee Tech (1969)
Jimmy Whitten Strength & Conditioning 11th Virginia Tech (1991)
Reference:[12]

Returning Starters

Roster

2014 VMI Keydets football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
TB 2 Deon Watts Sr
QB 4 John Burton  So
WR 6 Dane Forlines So
QB 8 Al Cobb  Fr
WR 11 Darrian Johnson  So
QB/P 12 Hayden Alford  So
QB 13 Ryan Swingle  Fr
WR 15 Joey Brown Fr
QB 16 Jade Maher Fr
WR 17 Brice Tucker Fr
WR 18 Doug Burton  Sr
RB 21 Jabari Turner Sr
RB 22 Taylor Stout So
RB 23 Cody Shirley  So
WR 29 Zach Jones  Jr
RB 39 Derrick Ziglar  Jr
RB 40 Hunter Marshall  Fr
WR 43 Kyle Harrell  Fr
WR 48 John Wilkins So
RB 49 Kyle Vardo  Fr
OL 50 Chase Smith Fr
C/LS 57 Bradley Hann  So
OL 60 Kurt Odegaard Fr
OL 61 Stephen Miller  Fr
C 62 Patrick Doucette  Fr
G 63 Nate Murray  Jr
OL 65 Matt Milner  Fr
G 66 Iyan Roseborough  So
OL 68 Corey Atkins Fr
OL 69 Joe Kluckowski  So
OT 70 Emmanuel Cooper Sr
OT 71 Jordan Veal  So
OT 75 Andy Marcotte  Sr
OL 77 Bradley Brown Fr
G 78 Chad Reed  So
WR 80 Samuel Patterson Jr
TE 81 Chad Jacob So
WR 82 Matthew Nicholson So
TE 83 Christian Williams Fr
WR 84 Calvin Michie So
WR 85 Aaron Sanders So
TE 86 John Mobley Fr
TE 88 J.C. Garvin  So
TE 89 Andrew Lewis So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 1 Eric Johnson  So
DB 3 Caleb Furlow Sr
LB 5 Darnell Ashton So
CB 7 Damian Jones  So
CB 9 James Fruehan Sr
S 14 Greg Sanders Fr
CB 19 Doug Moore Jr
S 20 Alex James Jr
DB 24 Chap Michie Jr
S 3 Alex Keys  So
LB 26 Bradley Lipscomb  So
CB 28 Brendon Bock  Jr
DB 30 Gabe Sutherland Fr
LB 31 Travis Hawkins  Jr
DB 32 John Strozyk  Fr
DB 33 Paul Conteh Fr
LB/P 34 Bill Hogan Fr
DB 35 Scott Frazier  Fr
DB 36 Michael Williams Fr
LB 37 Dakota Nicely  Jr
S 38 Alijah Robinson So
LB 41 Logan Staib  Sr
LB 42 Tony Richardson Fr
LB 44 Ryan Francis  Fr
LB 45 Miller Williams Sr
LB 46 Allan Cratsenberg Fr
LB 47 Caleb Lindsay Jr
DE 52 Zack Baker Fr
LB 53 Troy Barden  Fr
DL 55 Daniel Raider Fr
LB 56 Brian Ellis  So
LB 59 Chris Copeland  Jr
DL 72 Noah Bryson  Fr
DL 73 Connor Mildrum  So
LB 87 Brian Lipscomb Fr
DE 90 Robert de Wolff  So
DL 91 Xavier Greenfield Fr
DT 92 Walker Hays So
DE 93 Denton Ensminger Jr
DL 94 Amon-Ra Clay  Fr
DL 95 Shavon Henderson Fr
DL 96 Seth Mallory  So
DE 97 John Washington  Sr
DE 98 Devin Johnson Fr
DT 99 Joe Nelson  So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
PK 27 Dillon Christopher So
PK 67 Seth Hinton  Fr
PK 74 Sam Reiner Fr
PK 76 Chase Jones Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Matt Campbell (Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line) – 5th year
  • Greg Harris (Defensive Coordinator) – 8th year
  • Ron Mattes (Tight Ends) – 1st year
  • Eric Brown (Inside Linebackers) – 4th year
  • Justin Hamilton (Outside Linebackers) – 1st year
  • Brad Robbins (Wide Receivers) – 2nd year
  • Greg Shockley (Running Backs) – 10th year
  • Trent Walker (Secondary) – 4th year
  • Don Woods (Defensive Line) – 7th year
  • Jimmy Whitten (Strength & Conditioning) – 11th year
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 29, 2014

Projected Depth Chart

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 306:00 PMat Bucknell*
L 38–423,124
September 63:30 PMat Bowling Green*
ESPN3L 7–4818,311
September 131:30 PMDavidson*
W 52–244,479
September 202:00 PMat Samford
ESPN3L 21–634,618
September 271:30 PMMercerdagger
  • Alumni Memorial Field
  • Lexington, VA
L 24–274,490
October 44:00 PMat No. 14 Chattanooga
L 7–558,848
October 113:30 PMat Navy*
CBSSNL 14–5133,812
October 181:30 PMGardner–Webb*
  • Alumni Memorial Field
  • Lexington, VA
L 41–47 2OT6,624
October 251:30 PMat Wofford
L 3–388,010
November 11:30 PMFurman
  • Alumni Memorial Field
  • Lexington, VA
ESPN3W 31–153,624
November 152:00 PMat Western Carolina
L 27–428,339
November 221:30 PMThe Citadel
ESPN3L 25–457,097

Game summaries

Bucknell

See also: 2014 Bucknell Bison football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
VMI 0 21 14338
Bucknell 14 14 7742

at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium (Lewisburg, PA)

  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game weather: 80 degrees, Winds 8 MPH Southeast
  • Game attendance: 3,124
  • Referee: Henry Wimberg

Despite a spectacular debut from redshirt freshman quarterback Al Cobb, the Keydets fell on the opening week of the season to the Bucknell Bison, 42–38. The game started off poorly for VMI, with Bucknell taking an early 14–0 lead off two touchdowns from Matt DelMauro, including a 56-yard run on the first play of the Bison's second drive. The Keydets quickly responded, however, as Cobb found Doug Burton on a 20-yard touchdown pass. Four minutes later, he connected with Aaron Sanders for 38 yards and another score, promptly tying the game at 14–14. Bucknell immediately responded, as quarterback R.J. Nitti threw to Josh Brake for a fifty-yard score. From there, the two teams would alternate touchdowns, culminating with a one-yard touchdown run from Bucknell's C.J. Williams, putting the home team ahead at halftime 28–21.

The high-scoring pace continued into the third quarter, where Cobb ran in a touchdown from the goal line to tie the game once again. The Bison responded with a quick six play, 75-yard drive ending with a touchdown run by Williams, giving the Bison a 35–28 edge. VMI countered and once again drove the length of the field, finding the endzone with a twenty-yard pass to Dane Forlines. It was Cobb's fifth touchdown of the game, and his fourth through the air. The Keydets then managed to make a stop on defense, but could not advance on third down. Josh Brake of the Bison, who had previously scored a touchdown pass, returned the ensuing punt for 62 yards, giving Bucknell a 42–35 lead, which would hold for the rest of the game. VMI drove down the field in attempt to tie the score, but was stalled in the redzone. Kicker Dillon Christopher connected on a 34-yard field goal, but Bucknell ran out the rest of the clock and went on to win.

Cobb became the fourth player in VMI history to account for thirty or more points in a game, and became the eighth VMI player to throw four or more touchdowns in a single contest.[14] For his performance, he was tabbed as the Southern Conference Freshman of the Week.

Bowling Green

See also: 2014 Bowling Green Falcons football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
VMI 0 7 007
Bowling Green 14 20 7748

at Doyt Perry Stadium (Bowling Green, OH)

  • Game time: 3:30 PM
  • Game weather: 73 degrees, Winds 10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 18,311
  • Referee: Jeff Servinski
  • TV: ESPN3

Bowling Green controlled the game from start to finish, sending the Keydets to their second straight loss, 48–7. The Falcons scored on their opening drive with a one-yard run from quarterback James Knapke. Later in the first quarter, VMI allowed another 75-yard punt return for a touchdown, having done so against Bucknell the previous week. Bowling Green quickly found the endzone on their next two possessions, giving them a 28–0 lead with eleven minutes remaining in the first half. However, VMI responded quickly, as Hayden Alford, in replacement of Al Cobb, punched in a touchdown run from the goal line after hitting Doug Burton for a 41-yard pass. It would be the Keydets' only score of the game, and the Falcons countered with a 7-yard touchdown run, courtesy of Travis Greene. The extra point was blocked, however, and Bowling Green settled for a 34–7 halftime lead.

Early in the third quarter, Bowling Green blocked an Alford punt at the 29 yard-line, which was picked up and returned for a score by Herve Coby. Despite this blunder, the Keydet defense played mostly sound in the second half, allowing only one touchdown, a 51-yard score from Knapke to Roger Lewis in the fourth quarter. Cobb played most of the game at quarterback, completing 26 of 43 passes for 224 yards. Alford received considerable time under center as well, throwing for 63 yards himself.

Davidson

See also: 2014 Davidson Wildcats football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Davidson 0 3 14724
VMI 14 10 21752

at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA)

  • Game time: 1:30 PM
  • Game weather: 73 degrees, Winds 0–5 MPH
  • Game attendance: 4,479
  • Referee: Ted Pitts

In the home opener of the 2014 season, VMI tallied their highest offensive output since 2008 (a 69–20 win over Chowan)[15] and cruised to a 52–24 victory over Davidson. VMI racked up 597 yards of total offense on the day, 338 of which came from quarterback Al Cobb, who was completed 18 of his 25 pass attempts. Backup quarterback Hayden Alford also received considerable playing time in the second half with the game will in hand, throwing for 56 yards and a touchdown.

The game got off to a good start for the Keydets. After a missed field goal by Dillon Christopher on their first drive, the offense got the ball back and Jabari Turner scored on a 38-yard touchdown run to put VMI ahead early. Later in the first quarter, Turner cashed in a touchdown from the goal line to give VMI a 14–0, and Davidson would get no closer. The two teams then exchanged field goals, and Cobb found Deon Watts in the endzone for a 12-yard score. The Keydets went into halftime ahead 24–3.

Out of the intermission, Davidson came out firing offensively, scoring on a six-play drive in the first two minutes of the half as quarterback J.P. Douglas connected with William Morris for a score. VMI responded immediately, as Turner scored his third touchdown of the day with a two-yard run. Less than a minute later, VMI linebacker Chris Copeland blocked a Davidson punt at the fifteen yard-line, and scooped it up to run it in for a touchdown, putting VMI up 38–10. After another touchdown run by Deon Watts, Davidson countered with a 15-yard touchdown run by David Rogers. Later in the fourth quarter, backup Hayden Alford found Doug Burton for a 26-yard touchdown pass, a drive that spanned 96 yards and took ten plays. The Wildcats scored one final touchdown late in the game on fourth-and-goal, giving the game a final score of 52–24. It was VMI's first Division I non-conference win since a victory over Robert Morris in 2009.

Samford

See also: 2014 Samford Bulldogs football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
VMI 0 0 71421
Samford 28 21 14063

at Seibert Stadium (Homewood, AL)

  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: 82 degrees, Winds 7 MPH East
  • Game attendance: 4,618
  • Referee: Larry Saunders
  • TV: ESPN3

Samford dominated the game from the opening kickoff, scoring two touchdowns on their first three plays. Running back Denzel Williams broke free for a 61-yard run on the Bulldogs' second snap of the game, and quarterback Michael Eubank scored a 23-yard touchdown run to put Samford up 14–0. Eubank later found Karel Hamilton for a 25-yard touchdown pass, the only touchdown pass of the entire game for either team. After VMI quarterback Al Cobb was intercepted a second time by Josh Kimberlin, Denzel Williams pounded in a four-yard rushing score to put the Bulldogs up 28–0 just twelve minutes into the game.

The Samford scoring barrage continued into the second quarter, thanks in part to four first-half Keydet turnovers. All three second quarter touchdowns came courtesy of Eubank on the ground, including one with four seconds remaining in the half, putting the game out of reach before the intermission, with Samford holding a comfortable 49–0 lead.

The Bulldogs kept the scoring going early in the third, as Krondis Larry broke open a 68-yard touchdown run. VMI responded, however, with an eight-play, 59-yard drive culminating in a five-yard touchdown run by Jabari Turner to put the Keydets on the board. After another Samford score late in the third, VMI's offense found its rhythm in the fourth quarter, with another touchdown score by Turner, who fought his way through the goal-line scrum, making the score 63–14. Deon Watts ended the scoring on the day with a four-yard run, putting some positives into a poor showing for the Keydet offense and defense. Samford outgained the Keydets on the ground 433–119, and the 63 points were the most the Bulldogs had ever scored against a conference opponent.

Mercer

See also: 2014 Mercer Bears football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mercer 7 6 14027
VMI 0 14 3724

at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA)

  • Game time: 1:30 PM
  • Game weather: 76 degrees, Winds 3–5 Southeast
  • Game attendance: 4,490
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe

In a game featuring two first-year SoCon members, Mercer took down VMI 27–24 thanks to a late interception by Bears' safety Zach Jackson.

Mercer got off to an early start thanks to an 18-yard touchdown run by Alex Lakes. The game remained 7–0 throughout most of the first half, until VMI broke through as running back Jabari Turner found the endzone on a one-yard score. Mercer quickly responded, however, as Chandler Curtis broke free for a 23-yard touchdown rush, his only run of the day. Mercer would miss the extra point. On the first play of the next drive, VMI quarterback Al Cobb threw an interception to safety Lendell Arnold. But, on the very next play, Mercer gave the ball right back, as John Russ threw a pick of his own, caught by Damian Jones and returned to the 26-yard line. This turnover set up a VMI scoring drive that culminated with a Cobb touchdown pass to J. C. Garvin, putting the Keydets up 14–13 at halftime.

After receiving the halftime kickoff, Mercer took it right to the Keydets, scoring on an eight-play, 75-yard drive with Alex Lakes finding the endzone. After a VMI punt, Russ found Curtis streaking down the field for a 62-yard touchdown pass, giving Mercer a 27–14 lead. Later in the quarter, Keydets' kicker Dillon Christopher nailed a 49-yard field goal attempt, and the two teams would play in a stalemate for much of the final twenty minutes.

With over 6:30 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Cobb manufactured another scoring drive and hit wide receiver Sam Patterson in the endzone for 28 yards. Immediately VMI forced a punt, and began their final drive at their own thirteen yard-line. After several completions, short runs, and a facemask penalty committed by Mercer, VMI found themselves on the Bears' 39-yard line. Cobb then decided to throw a ball towards the endzone for receiver Doug Burton, but the pass was picked off by Zach Jackson, securing a 27–24 win for Mercer, their first Southern Conference win.

Chattanooga

See also: 2014 Chattanooga Mocs football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
VMI 0 0 077
#14 Chattanooga 7 27 14755

at Finley Stadium (Chattanooga, TN)

  • Game time: 4:00 PM
  • Game weather: 60 degrees, Winds 17 MPH West
  • Game attendance: 8,848
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis

After a close first quarter, Chattanooga broke open the game with four touchdowns in the second, all scored by Mocs' quarterback Jacob Huesman. After running for a score, Huesman connected with C.J. Board and Faysal Shafaat twice to give Chattanooga a 34–0 lead at the half. VMI did block an extra point, doing so for a second consecutive game.

Huesman continued his stupendous effort in the third quarter, running for a 44-yard touchdown score on the first drive. The Mocs backup quarterback, Alejandro Bennifield, then came into the game and threw for a touchdown pass. VMI salvaged a touchdown on their final drive of the game, a one-yard scramble by backup quarterback Hayden Alford. The Keydets netted only 53 rushing yards and had only nine first downs.

See also: 2014 Navy Midshipmen football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
VMI 0 7 0714
Navy 14 23 7751

at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, MD)

  • Game time: 3:30 PM
  • Game weather: 54 degrees, Winds 7 MPH Northeast
  • Game attendance: 33,812
  • Referee: Todd LaPenta
  • TV: CBS Sports Network

VMI returned to Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for the second time in three years, the first contest being played in 2012, a 41–3 loss to the Midshipmen. Navy got off to a quick start with a 64-yard run by Noah Copeland on the Midshipmen's third play of the game. Later in the second quarter, with Navy up 14–0, nosetackle Joe Nelson forced a fumble by Navy quarterback Tago Smith, which, after bouncing off several defends, was recovered in the endzone by Damian Jones for a VMI touchdown. On their next drive, VMI was forced to punt, and a high snap over the head of Hayden Alford caused a safety. The Midshipmen scored on the following possession with a 14-yard run by Q Singleton. Parrish Gaines then intercepted a pass by Al Cobb and returned it for a touchdown, and a short punt led to another Midshipmen score, putting Navy up at halftime 37–7.

The scoring settled down in the second half. Tago Smith found the endzone on a 2-yard run late in the third quarter, and running back Will Worth scored later in the fourth. VMI managed to get the last score of the game, as Cobb engineered a 10-play, 65-yard drive that culminated with a touchdown pass to Chad Jacob. Although VMI passed for over 200 yards to Navy's 82, the Midshipmen outgained the Keydets on the ground by almost 300 yards, and gave up 434 yards of total offense.

Gardner–Webb

See also: 2014 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football team
Quarter 1 2 34OT2OTTotal
Gardner–Webb 14 7 1037647
VMI 0 13 0217041

at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA)

  • Game time: 1:30 PM
  • Game weather: 57 degrees, Winds 9–15 MPH
  • Game attendance: 6,624
  • Referee: Lee Hedrick

A common theme in 2014, VMI got off to a slow start, allowing Gardner–Webb to score two early touchdowns off passes by quarterback Lucas Beatty. VMI rebounded in the second quarter, as Al Cobb found Matthew Nicholson for a 19-yard score. Dillon Christopher missed the extra point, which proved to be critical later in the game. After the Runnin' Bulldogs responded with a touchdown, VMI countered with a late-first half drive that culminated with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Cobb to receiver Doug Burton, cutting Gardner–Webb's lead to 21–13 at the half.

The Bulldogs reclaimed momentum in the third quarter, as Beatty found All-Conference selection Kenny Cook for an 80-yard score. A 26-yard field goal later in the quarter by Paul Schumacher put GWU up by three scores, 31–13. The Keydets responded in the fourth, as Cobb found tight end Kyle Vardo in the endzone, cutting the lead to 31–20. After making a stop on defense, sophomore receiver Dane Forlines caught a pass for a 12-yard score, but the two-point conversion attempt was failed. Immediately on the first play of the ensuing Gardner–Webb possession, Beatty lobbed a pass down field that was picked off by freshman Greg Sanders. With excellent field position, VMI worked a four-play drive that ended with a touchdown on fourth down to Deon Watts. The two-point conversion pass to Forlines was caught, and VMI had their first lead of the day at 34–31.

In the final drive of regulation, Gardner–Webb worked their way to the VMI 38-yard line, Beatty was sacked for a loss of ten yards by Doug Moore. On fourth and twenty, Beatty connected with Mike Estes for a first down, setting up a 43-yard field goal by Schumacher, sending the game into overtime tied at 34.

VMI elected to go on defense first after winning the coin toss. After a 23-yard pass to Cook on the first play of overtime, running back J.J. Hubbard found the endzone to put the Bulldogs up. Immediately, VMI countered with a 25-yard pass from Cobb to Aaron Sanders on their first snap of overtime. It was Cobb's sixth touchdown pass of the game, a VMI record, and all six touchdowns were to different receivers.[16] However, kicker Dillon Christopher missed a field goal on VMI's next possession, and Gardner–Webb scored on the very next play with a pass to Cook, escaping Lexington with a 47–41 win.

Wofford

See also: 2014 Wofford Terriers football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
VMI 0 3 003
Wofford 14 10 7738

at Gibbs Stadium (Spartanburg, SC)

  • Game time: 1:30 PM
  • Game weather: 70 degrees, Winds 2 MPH West-southwest
  • Game attendance: 8,010
  • Referee: Larry Saunders

Furman

See also: 2014 Furman Paladins football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Furman 0 0 7815
VMI 3 14 7731

at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA)

  • Game time: 1:30 PM
  • Game weather: 50 degrees, overcast, winds 10–12 MPH West
  • Game attendance: 3,624
  • Referee: Ted Pitts
  • TV: ESPN3

Western Carolina

See also: 2014 Western Carolina Catamounts football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
VMI 0 10 10727
Western Carolina 14 14 7742

at E. J. Whitmire Stadium (Cullowhee, NC)

  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: 40 degrees, Winds 5 MPH South-southeast
  • Game attendance: 8,339
  • Referee: Thomas Graham

The Citadel

See also: 2014 The Citadel Bulldogs football team
Quarter 1 2 34Total
The Citadel 7 17 21045
VMI 0 13 6625

at Alumni Memorial Field (Lexington, VA)

  • Game time: 1:30 PM
  • Game weather: 48 degrees, Winds 3–7 MPH
  • Game attendance: 7,097
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV: ESPN3

References

  1. ^ "VMI Knocks Off Furman Behind Strong Defense, 31–15". VMIKeydets.com. November 1, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. ^ "Woods Contract Not Extended as VMI Head Football Coach". VMIKeydets.com. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "VMI, ETSU, Mercer to join SoCon." ESPN. May 30, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  4. ^ "Keydets Fall to #14 Richmond, 34–0." VMIKeydets.com. August 31, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  5. ^ "Dramatic Goal-Line Stand Preserves Keydet Win, 34–27." VMIKeydets.com. September 7, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  6. ^ "Keydets Fall to North Greenville, 37–24." VMIKeydets.com. September 14, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  7. ^ 2013 VMI Football Schedule
  8. ^ "Keydets Take Advantage of Penalties, Turnovers; Win 27–9." VMIKeydets.com. November 9, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  9. ^ "VMI Falls in Military Classic of the South, 31–10." VMIKeydets.com. November 16, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  10. ^ "2013 VMI Football Fact Book." VMIKeydets.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  11. ^ "Sparky Woods Records by Year." CFB Data Warehouse. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  12. ^ a b 2014 VMI Football Quick Facts
  13. ^ a b c 2014 VMI Football Roster
  14. ^ "Keydets Fall Despite Cobb's Sensational Debut, 42–38." VMIKeydets.com. August 30, 2014.
  15. ^ "Sanders Leads Offensive Explosion in 52–24 Win". VMIKeydets.com. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "Keydets Drop Double Overtime Thriller, 47–41". VMIKeydets.com. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2014_VMI_Keydets_football_team&oldid=938756122"