PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Ryan Willis continues to play well, even in last week’s loss at Pitt. The Kansas transfer completed 22 of 34 passes for 231 yards, with three touchdown passes, also rushing for 65 yards as the Hokies finished with 432 yards of offense. He has a 16-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and has thrown for at least two scores in all six of his starts since stepping in for injured Josh Jackson.
–WR Damon Hazelton, a transfer from Ball State, has been the top target all season. He caught a 24-yard touchdown pass last week against Pitt, giving him a TD reception in eight of nine games this season. He has team-highs with 40 catches for 687 yards.
–DE TyJuan Garbutt, a redshirt freshman, started the first game of his career last week for an injured Emmanuel Belmar. Garbutt made three tackles, all for loss, and is listed as a starter on this week’s depth chart.
SERIES HISTORY: Miami leads the series with Virginia Tech 21-14. The Hurricanes won last season, 28-10, when the game decided the Coastal Division; both teams were in the top 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings at the time of the 2017 game.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “They’ve got really big, dangerous skill players at running back and wide receiver. They’ve got a little bit of youth out there, as well. I think they’re searching for a little bit more consistency, which I would say is similar to what we’re working for.” — Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente, on Miami.
