Cavs need to create havoc; Hokies need to tighten up
Common denominator for both is better defense
Only once in its previous 24 games had Virginia experienced a deficiency like it had last Saturday. Given the aggressive approach U.Va. has cultivated, linebacker Zane Zandier knows shortcomings like the ones the Cavaliers had in their 38-21 loss to North Carolina State won’t fly.
No sacks. Not a single one.
After planting Duke’s quarterbacks five times, and getting to Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence twice, Virginia couldn’t lay a finger on N.C. State’s Devin Leary behind the line of scrimmage.
“That’s one of our biggest things is creating havoc,” Zandier said. “Having zero sacks is just — obviously, that pass rush has to get better.”
While Virginia should have ample opportunities today to get its pass rush back on track at Wake Forest, No. 23 Virginia Tech will find out if it’s found answers for its own defensive struggles last weekend in a 56-45 loss at North Carolina as the Hokies host a much different-looking Boston College program than usual.
The only time in the previous 24 games U.Va. (1-2, 1-2 ACC) failed to register a sack was Nov. 9 last season in a 33-28 win against Georgia Tech. That game was an anomaly last season for
Virginia, which posted 46 sacks for the year — tied for seventh-most among Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
Wake Forest (1-2, 0-2) hasn’t had a lot of success keeping quarterback Sam Hartman upright. Just three FBS teams are surrendering more sacks per game than Wake Forest (4.33), which will be playing its first ACC opponent in nearly a month.
U.Va. could have a new starter at quarterback if Brennan Armstrong isn’t ready to play after being in concussion protocol all week.
If Armstrong can’t go, Lindell Stone likely will get his first career start. He completed 30 of 54 passes for 240 yards, three touchdowns and an interception against N.C. State.
Running back Ronnie Walker will also probably see his first action this season for U.Va. He finally received a waiver from the NCAA this week, granting him immediate eligibility after transferring in the offseason from Indiana.
Still reeling after giving up 654 yards, including 399 on the ground, in its loss at then-No. 8 North Carolina, Virginia Tech (2-1, 2-1) has a lot to get ironed out against BC, but the Hokies are also hoping to get more players back this week.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who got into his first game of the season at UNC, played the entire second half and completed 7 of 13 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. He likely will make his first start of the season this weekend.
Virginia Tech was without 15 players at North Carolina because of ongoing coronavirus quarantining, injuries and other issues, and had to insert a few defensive players for extended stretches at positions they hadn’t practiced, including linebacker Alan Tisdale at safety late in the game. Starting free safety Divine Deablo is among the players expected to return against Boston College (3-1, 2-1), which has had positive results thus far with a new offensive philosophy.
No longer the grind-it-out, runbased offense that featured running backs AJ Dillon and Andre Williams under former coach Steve Addazio, BC has shifted to a more
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Truist Field;
Winston-Salem, N.C.
TV/radio: ACC Network/
850 AM, 96.5 FM
The favorite: U.Va. by 21⁄
2
The buzz: As of Thursday morning, U.Va. quarterback Brennan Armstrong still hadn't practiced with the team while he worked through concussion protocol. If Lindell Stone does get the start, he'll look to connect with tight end Tony Poljan and wide receivers Lavel Davis, Billy Kemp and Terrell Jana, who had nine catches for 111 yards against N.C. State. Moving the ball through the air could be U.Va.'s best approach against Wake Forest, which is giving up 270 passing yards per game (second-most in the
ACC).
The prediction: U.Va. 28-24. wide-open, spread look under firstyear coach Jeff Hafley.
Quarterback Phil Jurkovec is a 6-foot-5 sophomore Pittsburgh native who transferred from Notre Dame and has repeatedly drawn physical comparisons to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Boston College
(3-1, 2-1) at No. 23 Virginia Tech (2-1, 2-1)
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg TV/radio: ACC Network/790 AM The favorite: Tech by 13
The buzz: While it's generally still considered uncouth in this branch of journalism to discuss Las Vegas point spreads in great detail, one can't help but wonder “what are they thinking?” when seeing the number associated with this game. After Tech's tackling woes at UNC, the lingering relative uncertainty regarding the state of the Hokies' roster and BC's early-season success, the Eagles should arrive in nearly empty Lane Stadium with plenty of momentum. Hendon Hooker should provide a boost for Tech's passing game, and BC, which is giving up a reasonable 134 rushing yards per game, might have its hands full with running back Khalil Herbert (three consecutive games of 100-plus rushing yards).
The prediction: Tech 34-28.
Jurkovec has completed 99 of 152 passes (65.1%) for 1,181 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
Boston College is coming off a confidence-boosting 31-30 overtime win last weekend against Pittsburgh, and the Eagles played well Oct. 3 in a 26-22 loss to North Carolina.
Though Jurkovec has BC relying on the pass, the program’s traditionally strong running game has faded, with the Eagles averaging just 60.3 rushing yards per game — last in the ACC and third-worst in the FBS.
Yet, after the gouging North Carolina running backs Michael Carter (214 rushing yards) and Javonte Williams (169 rushing yards) gave Tech’s defense last weekend, Tech is wary of BC looking to test the Hokies’ suspect tackling.
“We definitely want to rush the passer, but you know, going off of last week what we gave up, they might come out running the ball, so we’ve got to be prepared for both just in case,” said Virginia Tech defensive end Emmanuel Belmar, who has three of Tech’s 14 sacks (fifth-most in FBS). “If they are throwing the ball … we’re going to try to get to the quarterback.”