PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Damon Hazelton, a transfer from Ball State, has been a needed part of the receiving corps. He caught a touchdown in each of his first five games with Virginia Tech, including a 12-catch, 131-yard effort vs. Notre Dame. “He certainly has room for improvement,” coach Justin Fuente said. “Doesn’t mean I’m not pleased with him. I think we’ve been happy with the way he’s approached things. He listens; he’s a very coachable young man. But there are some technique things and consistency that he needs to continue to improve on, as do all of our wideouts. It’s a lot more involved than just ‘run by the guy.'” Hazelton has 29 catches for 515 yards and five TDs.
–MLB Rayshard Ashby has a team-high 51 tackles, including 38 that have come on running plays, which is also a team-best. The sophomore’s ability against the run takes center stage this week against the triple-option of Georgia Tech. He has 6.5 tackles for loss.
–TE Dalton Keene, a sophomore, caught the game-winning 1-yard TD at North Carolina on Oct. 13 and came up big earlier in the season with a 67-yard touchdown catch at Duke on Sept. 29.
SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads Georgia Tech 9-5 in a series that started in 1990. The Yellow Jackets have won two in a row, including 28-22 last season in Atlanta.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think there is a genuine desire to improve and that’s what it’s going to have to be. They are going to have to stick together. In the next five weeks, it’s going to be really difficult and they’re going to have to stick together and focus on continuing to improve. From what I’ve seen so far, they’re into that.” — Coach Justin Fuente, on his team’s closing stretch.
