Oct 8, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) rolls out before throwing a touchdown pass as North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Des Lawrence (2) pressures in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
spread offenses of No. 17 Virginia Tech and Syracuse were both tested in the rain Saturday in North Carolina. The Hokies passed, while the Orange did not.
The teams will face off in a much more controlled environment Saturday at the Carrier Dome. The question is: Will Syracuse have success against a Virginia Tech defense that has shut down a pair of high-flying offenses in its last two games?
“No matter how good of a game we play, we never want to get complacent,” Hokies cornerback Brandon Facyson said.
And how much better can the Hokies’ offense perform when not having to deal with the sloppy conditions brought on by Hurricane Matthew.
Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-0 ACC) is coming off a convincing 34-3 road win over then-No. 19 North Carolina, a victory that vaulted the Hokies eight spots in the most recent Associated Press poll. While hardly prolific, the Hokies offense was efficient enough while taking advantage of favorable field position throughout the contest.
The real key to the victory for Tech, however, was its defense, which completely shut down a Tar Heels offense that put up gaudy numbers in each of its first five games before hitting a wall against the Hokies.
Tech’s defense has been dominant during a recent run that has included blowout wins over Boston College, East Carolina and North Carolina. ECU also boasts one of the top spread offenses in the country, and it struggled against the Hokies in much the same way as the Tar Heels.
The Hokies have outscored their last three opponents 137-20.
Syracuse’s fast-paced no-huddle spread attack, engineered by first-year coach Dino Babers, struggled to get going at Wake Forest on Saturday. The Orange, coming off back-to-back 30-point performances, had a season-low 326 total yards in a 28-9 loss to the Demon Deacons.
Syracuse gained more than 400 yards in each of its first five games, and it exceeded 500 twice in that span.
“To me, we know they’re going to put the ball in the air and operate at an incredible pace. … They like to run the ball too,” Hokies first-year coach Justin Fuente said.
Virginia Tech will have its work cut out for it at the dome, which it hasn’t visited since 2002, but it has stepped up to the challenge against similarly prolific offenses like East Carolina and UNC already this season.
“Every down is a threat. They like to pass the ball, [are] a very wide-open team,” Facyson said of Syracuse. “We just need to execute.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Jerod Evans ranks fifth nationally with a 175.6 pass efficiency rating and is one of only two quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision with at least 15 touchdown passes and fewer than two interceptions, along with Western Michigan’s Zach Terrell (15-0). Evans threw two TD passes in the Hokies’ win Saturday at UNC to increase his season total to 15. His only interception of the season came against Boston College when one of his passes bounced off the hands of a receiver.
–TE Chris Cunningham has made the most of his limited touches this season. Of his three receptions, two have gone for touchdowns. He had a 1-yard scoring catch in the second quarter against North Carolina on Saturday.
–LB Andrew Motuapuaka had 12 tackles, assisted on a sack and recorded his second career interception in the Hokies’ win over the Tar Heels. Motuapuaka leads Tech with 49 tackles.
–CB Greg Stroman’s versatility has never been in question, but he added fuel to the fire against the Tar Heels. Twice Stroman lined up behind center, took a shotgun snap and booted quick-kick punts. He was called to kick with the hopes of limiting the impact of dangerous UNC return man Ryan Switzer. Stroman, who has also played wide receiver, defensive back and returned punts in his college career, also had his team-leading third interception of the season against the Tar Heels.
