GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: The Virginia Tech run defense has been gashed most of the season, especially in the past month as injuries have piled up. The Hokies gave up 168 rushing yards (5.3 per carry) last week against Miami, a staggering 492 to Pitt, 219 to Boston College and 465 to Georgia Tech’s triple-option, all losses since Oct. 25.
Statistically, this week’s foe, Virginia, is just average running the ball, ranking 62nd nationally at 171.2 yards per game. But this will be another big challenge for the Hokies, as the Cavs have RB Jordan Ellis (needs 132 yards to hit 1,000 for the season) and speedy QB Bryce Perkins, who has rushed for 730 yards.
DRAFT SLANT
–DT Ricky Walker has 36 tackles this season, including 7.5 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. “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 27.5 career tackles for loss.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR Sean Savoy, a sophomore, announced Monday 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 Sunday 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.
–DE Houshun Gaines is out for the season after suffering a left knee injury against Pitt on Nov. 10.
–OLB Dylan Rivers (ankle) played last week, coming off the bench, after missing two games.
–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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