PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Ryan Willis was a bright spot last week against Boston College. Willis, a Kansas transfer who took over as the starter for an injured Josh Jackson in late September, completed 25-of-42 passes for 281 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. He also had a team-high 49 yards rushing. For the season, he has a 13-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
–WR Damon Hazelton, a transfer from Ball State, was held to two catches last week against Boston College, but one went for a 26-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He leads the team with seven touchdown catches and has three 100-yard games.
–LB Rico Kearney, a redshirt freshman, made his first career start last week because of an injury to LB Rayshard Ashby and made 18 tackles against Boston College. Coach Justin Fuente was asked if Kearney might keep the starting role. “I am proud of Rico and how he played when given the opportunity,” he said. “Rayshard’s been very productive when he’s played, as well. We’ll continue to see how it all turns out with Rayshard’s health and how we feel. It’s nice to have another productive player though.”
SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads Pittsburgh 10-7 and won 20-14 last season in Blacksburg after a late goal-line stand when the Panthers had first-and-goal from the 1.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “This past year, it took a goal-line stand on Senior Day to win the game (against Pitt) and it’s going to take a similar type of toughness, execution and grit to accomplish the similar or same result. I think maybe it’s not just that play, but an accumulation of all of it in what it’s going to take to find a way to win the game.” — Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente, on the matchup against Pitt.
