PERSONNEL NEWS

Strategy And Personnel

The Sports Xchange

November 27, 2018 at 9:30 pm.

GAME BREAKDOWN

KEY MATCHUP: Virginia Tech has a solid running game, averaging 172.7 yards per game, and senior Steven Peoples is coming off the second-best day of his career, rushing for 96 yards against Virginia. He has a team-high 682 yards and five TDs on 135 carries. The Hokies need to run to keep pressure off QB Ryan Willis, but Marshall ranks sixth nationally in rushing defense (100.5 ypg) and has allowed more than 150 only once — last week at FIU.

DRAFT SLANT

–DT Ricky Walker, the only senior starter on defense, is finishing with a flourish. He was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Virginia — seven tackles, two for loss, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble. He has 43 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, and projects as a late-round pick. “The day he walked in the door, I knew he was going to be a special player and a special person,” said defensive coordinator Bud Foster. “He’s proven that since he’s been here.” Walker has 29.5 career tackles for loss.

ROSTER REPORT

–WR Sean Savoy, a sophomore, announced Nov. 19 that he would transfer. He had 18 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns this season. He caught 39 passes, four for touchdowns, as a freshman. He will be allowed to transfer without restriction, coach Justin Fuente said.

–LB Rico Kearney, a redshirt freshman, announced Nov. 18 he planned on transferring. He had 35 tackles, including two for loss. The bulk of his work came against Boston College, when he filled in for injured Rayshard Ashby and made 18 tackles, the most for a Virginia Tech player since 2003. The school will let him transfer without restrictions.

–QB Josh Jackson is recovering from a broken fibula.

–DE Houshun Gaines is out for the season after suffering a left knee injury against Pitt on Nov. 10.

–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.

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