PLAYERS TO WATCH
–CB Jovonn Quillen, a junior, didn’t start last week but the coaches put him into the rotation at cornerback and he responded with a career-high seven tackles. Given the success of Virginia Tech’s secondary vs. Duke, look for the Hokies to continue to work in Quillen during the Notre Dame game against new Irish starting QB Ian Book.
–WR Damon Hazelton, a transfer from Ball State, has a touchdown catch in each of Virginia Tech’s four games this season. He is averaging 23.2 yards on his team-high 15 catches. Hazelton hauled in a 27-yard TD catch against Duke, making an over-the-shoulder grab.
–QB Ryan Willis, in his first start at Virginia Tech, passed for 332 yards, making the third time in his career that he reached 300 yards. He did it twice when he played at Kansas.
–DE Houshun Gaines finished with a career high 2.5 sacks in the win over Duke, stepping up when the Hokies needed him most following the dismissal of end Trevon Hill. Gaines has 3.5 sacks this season after having only three in 2017. He also has forced two fumbles.
SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads 1-0, winning 34-31 at Notre Dame on Nov. 19, 2016.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “He’s a gentleman first of all. I always admired how he handled himself on and off the field. I was a D-II coach and coming up through the ranks; he never was bigger than life. He has always had a down-to-earth quality to him. I always respected Frank. … The honor bestowed upon him with the statue is certainly well deserved.” — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly on former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, who will be honored by the school on Saturday.
