PERSONNEL NEWS

Strategy And Personnel

The Sports Xchange

November 05, 2018 at 9:27 pm.

GAME BREAKDOWN

KEY MATCHUP: Virginia Tech’s run defense will be in the spotlight again. In four wins, the Hokies are allowing only 108.5 rushing yards per game and have yielded just two scores on the ground. In four losses, though, the Hokies are giving up 247.0 rushing yards per game and 16 rushing touchdowns.

Pitt doesn’t have much a prolific passing attack behind quarterback Kenny Pickett, but it does rank third in the ACC in rushing, averaging 230.8 yards per game. RB Quadree Ollison leads the way at 91.0 rushing yards per game, but it’s Darrin Hall who is coming off a 229-yard game.

When Pitt is at its best, it is running — 275.8 yards per game in its five victories. Virginia Tech knows what will be coming, but can the Hokies stop it?

DRAFT SLANT

–DT Ricky Walker has 27 tackles this season, including 3.5 for loss, as the only senior starter on defense. Walker made 41 tackles, including 12.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks, as a junior when he had more help. Walker is likely a late-round prospect.

ROSTER REPORT

–RB Steven Peoples is the Hokies’ leading rusher with 497 yards and five touchdowns on 96 carries.

–OLB Dylan Rivers (ankle) did not play last week against Boston College. His replacement was true freshman Dax Hollifield, who made 10 tackles.

–LB Rayshard Ashby sat out last week because of an undisclosed injury. His status wasn’t known as of early this week.

–DE Trevon Hill was dismissed from the team on Sept. 23 a day after the loss at Old Dominion. The reason given was “not upholding the high standards we have for our student-athletes” Fuente said in a statement. Hill, a junior, had 20 career tackles for loss, including 4.5 this season in three games.

–LB Devon Hunter, a sophomore, will redshirt after playing the first four games of the season. Under a new NCAA rule, a player can play up to four games and still save a year of eligibility.