GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Virginia Tech will have to find a way to ramp up the pass rush without dismissed starting DE Trevon Hill. His replacement in the starting lineup figures to be redshirt sophomore Emmanuel Belmar, who has five tackles through the first three games.
The Hokies will want to try to rattle Duke QB Quentin Harris, making his first ACC start after recently replacing injured Daniel Jones. Harris has directed the Blue Devils to victories over Baylor and North Carolina Central, but this will be his toughest test — even if it comes against a defense that gave up 49 points and 632 yards to Old Dominion.
Bud Foster’s defense, although weakened by offseason departures (DBs Adonis Alexander and Mook Reynolds) — and now Hill — has a lot of pride and will looking for a bounce-back game.
DRAFT SLANT
–DT Ricky Walker is more than just a run-stuffing interior lineman, as he is noted for putting pressure on the quarterback, pushing his 300 pounds into the backfield. The intangibles are there, too — as coach Justin Fuente praises Walker’s leadership. Walker, a potential late-round prospect, doesn’t pad the stat sheet, though. He has four stops this season.
ROSTER REPORT
–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,” coach Justin Fuente said in a statement. Hill, a junior, had 20 career tackles for loss, including 4.5 this season in three games.
–LB Alan Tisdale was going to be “put on the shelf” and miss his true freshman season due to unspecified surgery, defensive coordinator Bud Foster said.
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