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October 23, 2015
THE
EXTRAPOINT
Virginia Tech vs. D Duke uke
COLLEGIATETIMES
NO MARGIN FOR ERROR After a loss to Miami, Virginia Tech can’t afford another loss in the ACC if it wants to contend for an ACC title. CHRISTIAN STERLING/ COLLEGIATE TIMES
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Brandon Facyson (31) tackles Jaylen Samuels (28), helping the Hokies keep NC State on its own half.
TECH LOOKS TO SLOW DOWN DUKE
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The Virginia Tech football team will face off against No. 23 Duke in what will be a pivotal homecoming game for the Hokies, who hope to return to a .500 record overall and in the ACC. Duke will enter the game boasting a 5-1 record (2-0 in the ACC) and the No. 4 ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 252.8 total
PAGE 2 October 23, 2015
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ALEX A JOHNSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Coach Beamer leads Virginia Tech to win against NC State on Oct. 10, 2015.
yards per game. Leading Duke’s defense is senior safety Jeremy Cash. Cash already has 11.5 tackles for loss through just six games this season and is well on pace for over 100 tackles for his third consecutive season. His 11.5 tackles for loss are fifth best in the nation, and he is the only safety to be in the top 50 in that category. “I don’t see anybody being more productive defensively as an individual than he is,” Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe said. “He is such a dynamic leader on the field, a dynamic leader off the field.” The versatile All-American has the ability to line up at either safety position, in the slot or in the box as a linebacker. The Hokies’ offense will have to keep an eye out for Cash’s location on the field at all times, as the transfer from Ohio State has already recorded three forced fumbles. Offensively for the Blue Devils, quarterback Thomas Sirk is not an extraordinary passer, averaging 210 passing yards per game with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Sirk has failed to throw for 200 yards in any of his past four games, while throwing just two touchdowns and three interceptions. While he may not beat his opponents in the air consistently, the junior quarterback is extremely mobile, leading the team in both carries and rushing yards this season. Tech has struggled with mobile quarterbacks in recent years, so getting off to a fast start and forcing Duke to throw the ball will be key for the Hokies to have success. For Tech, quarterback Michael Brewer will make his return as the starting quarterback, after substituting in for Brenden Motley in the
second half in last week’s loss against Miami. Brewer will have his work cut out for him in his return against a tough Blue Devil secondary, so expect the Hokies to try to get the ground game going early and often. Freshman running back Travon McMillian has been successful this season, and has been one of the bright spots for Tech this year and looking forward. “He can make people miss, but he can outrun you,” said Head Coach Frank Beamer. “He runs tough. A couple times last week, put his head down and went straight forward.” With 418 rushing yards on just 59 carries, McMillian has recorded more rushing yards than any Virginia Tech running back in recent memory, including David Wilson, Ryan Williams and Kevin Jones. Look for his carries to continue to increase against Duke on Saturday and going forward. Defensively, the Hokies’ front will face a challenging Duke offensive line which has allowed only four sacks this season which is the fifth least in the FBS. Dadi Nicolas is still looking for his first sack of the season because he has been limited by hand injuries, but the senior defensive end has still been effective with 20 tackles on the season. One thing fans can be sure to expect is that the game will undoubtedly be a physical one. With the return of Brewer, this is a huge opportunity for Tech to get a win against a ranked opponent.
@FaizanCT
This season has been filled with ups and downs for Virginia Tech. With the record sitting at 3-4, Frank Beamer reaching
retirement age and Tech’s bowl streak on the line, not many Hokie fans have good things to say about the season. With disappointing losses against Pittsburgh, Ohio State and Miami, Virginia Tech’s football program seems to
HOMECOMING 2015
see TRAVON / page 8
High: 75o
Low: 50o-55o
High: 65o-70o
Low: 50o-55o
High: 65o-70o
Low: 45o-50o
High: 60o-65o
Low: 40o-45o
ALEX THORNTON • weather correspondent • @HOKIEwxWATCH
October 23, 2015 PAGE 3
START JUMPING!
be getting worse rather than getting better. However, despite the many setbacks, there is still hope for the future. One player in particular, Travon McMillian, has shown the kind of talent that the Hokies have this year and what the future holds for the program. McMillian played at C.D. Hylton in Woodbridge, Virginia. During his senior year he was rated as the 13th best player in the state according to ESPN Recruiting Nation. At 6 feet tall and 196 pounds with a 36-inch vertical, he was also ranked as one of the best overall athletes in not only the region but the country. McMillian has proven his worth to Virginia Tech’s offensive scheme and has put up impressive numbers as a freshman. Not only has he been a reliable option for the Hokies, but his versatility as a tailback and receiver has proven useful.
Friday
sports staff writer
Saturday
MIGUEL PINEDA
Sunday
Freshman running back Travon McMillian has taken the Hokies backfield by storm with big playmaking ability.
Monday
MCMILLIAN EMERGES AS X-FACTOR
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TREVOR WHITE / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Dadi Nicolas (90) encourages Travon McMillian (34) to run down the field and score a touchdown.
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W
e have had beautiful weather this week, and these fall temperatures are going to continue through homecoming weekend. A dry cold front will move through on Friday followed by a cooler high pressure for the weekend. Sunday will see another front working its way across the region. Friday will see mostly sunny skies with highs in the mid-70s. Friday night will be mostly cloudy with lows in the lower 50s. For the homecoming parade and our football game against Duke on Saturday, there will be a partly sunny sky with highs in the upper 60s. Saturday night will have lows in the lower 50s with a mostly cloudy skies. There is a 40 percent chance for showers on Sunday after 8 a.m., so anyone involved in the 5k or the memorial run should keep an eye out for any rain. The day and night will be mostly cloudy with highs in the upper 60s and overnight lows in the upper 40s. On Monday, there will be highs in the lower 60s with partly sunny skies. Monday night will be mostly cloudy with lows in the lower 40s. Follow @ HOKIEwxWatch on Twitter for any updates!
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ACC CHAMPIONSHIP STILL WITHIN REACH Although Virginia Tech is 1-2 in the ACC, it still has a chance to redeem itself as its last five games of the season are in conference. CHASE PARKER sports staff writer
The Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) has been a tale of two divisions this year in football. The Atlantic and Coastal Divisions couldn’t be more different – but where does Virginia Tech fit in the mix? The Atlantic Division is a two-team race featuring two of the top 10 teams in the nation: Florida State and Clemson. FSU is ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 list. Narrowly ahead of them are the Clemson Tigers at No. 6.
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PAGE 4 October 23, 2015
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In theory, if Virginia Tech found a way to win the rest of its games, it would have a very high chance at advancing into the ACC Championship.”
One of these two teams is destined to win the Atlantic Division, barring some sort of unforeseen collapse. On Nov. 7, these two powerhouses will go head-to-head in a game that will most likely determine the representative for the Atlantic Division in the ACC Championship. Luckily for the struggling Hokies, Tech is in the Coastal Division, where the realm of possibilities is much broader. Currently, Virginia Tech is ranked sixth in the division with a 1-2 conference record. That is just one spot up from Georgia Tech, who is on a five-game losing streak and ranked last in the ACC. This means that the Hokies are trailing Pittsburgh, Duke, UNC, Miami and – yes – U.Va. in the division. However, there is still time for the Hokies to climb their way out of the basement of the Coastal Division and possibly work their way into the ACC Championship. Virginia Tech’s remaining schedule goes as follows: Duke, Boston College, Georgia Tech, UNC and U.Va. This means that the remaining five games of the Hokies’ schedule can completely turn the tide of their inconsistent season. In theory, if Virginia Tech found a way to win the rest of its games, it would have a very high change at advancing into the ACC Championship. That would give the Hokies a 6-2 ACC record on the year (9-4 overall), which should be enough to take the crown of the wide-open division. Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. In addition to winning every game for the rest of the season, the Hokies would need Pittsburgh to lose at least three ACC games on its own.
TREVOR WHITE / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Hokie defenders jump into the air to try to block an NC State field goal attempt. Duke and UNC would both have to lose one other conference match-up in addition to a loss to Virginia Tech. Also, the Hokies would need Miami to lose two more interconference matchups as well. As for U.Va. and Georgia Tech – well, the Hokies can pretty much take care of those teams on their own. U.Va. currently has a 1-1 ACC record while Georgia Tech is 0-4. If Virginia Tech defeats U.Va. for the 12th straight year, then the Hokies would get the nod over the Cavaliers because they won in head-to-head play. This may seem like a lot of circumstantial football, but all of the losses needed by other teams for Tech to advance isn’t as unlikely as one may think. With it being the last half of the season, ACC teams will be playing each other every week, potentially knocking one another out of contention. If Virginia Tech can find consistency and win out, then the Hokies could find themselves in the ACC Championship game. CATIE CARRERAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES @CollegiateTimes
Kevin Asante (81) is taken down by Ryan Lewis (38) and Kellen McAlone (48) after gaining yards after blocking a touchback.
Virginia Tech injury report for the Duke game
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INJURYBREAKDOWN
collegiatetimes.com October 23, 2015 PAGE 5
Corey Marshall Status: Probable Injury: Hamstring
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column
BOWL STREAK MAY COME DOWN TO ONE MAN Michael Brewer is returning as Virginia Tech’s starter after weeks of helplessly watching from the bench in hopes of leading his team to victory. GAUTAM RAO managing editor
After relieving Brenden Motley last week against Miami, Virginia Tech will start quarterback Michael Brewer this Saturday against Duke, his first appearance as a starter after breaking his collarbone in week one against Ohio State. Motley, who had previously only thrown three passes under center for the Hokies, came in and led the team to three victories in Brewer’s absence. Despite his lack of experience, Motley made the most of a very chaotic situation. His inconsistent play and knack for staring down receivers cost him though, as he was finally benched for Brewer late against Miami after throwing for 136 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions as well as losing a fumble. Brewer, who threw for a touchdown and an interception in relief of Motley, has now been entrenched as Virginia Tech’s starter going into the final stretch of the regular season. Now sitting at 3-4, Brewer must lead the Hokies to victory in three of their last five games in order to extend Coach Frank Beamer’s bowl streak to 23 consecutive years. Looking ahead, Virginia Tech plays at home against Duke, away at Boston College and Georgia Tech, and at home against UNC before ending the season on the road against Commonwealth Cup rival U.Va.
“ PAGE 6 October 23, 2015
His leadership could be the difference between extending his legendary coach’s bowl streak and ending one of the greatest runs in college football.”
While three victories against these teams will be difficult, there are things that the Virginia Tech offense and Michael Brewer can do that will maximize their opportunity to win. Offensively, the Hokies have shown time and time again that they win football games when they can beat their opponent on the ground. In every game that the Hokies have won this year, the team has rushed for at least 200 yards,
ALEXA JOHNSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Michael Brewer (12) gives Brenden Motley (9) a pep talk on the sideline while out due to a collarbone injury. whereas they lost those in which they have not. With the coaching staff now committing to Travon McMillian as its workhorse feature back, it is clear that the team needs to feed him the ball. With Motley under center, Offensive Coordinator Scot Loeffler has seemed hesitant at times to open up the field. When Motley had chances to pass the ball over defenses that had crowded the box apprehensively, he would consistently not have time to throw or miss passes. With Brewer under center, it is more likely that defenses will be forced to be more careful when pressing the line of scrimmage, as he is a quarterback much more likely to make them pay for it if they guess wrong. This should open up more lanes for McMillian and allow the Hokies to have a more successful run game. Turnovers have also been a major issue for Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech has committed only one turnover in the three games that they have won this year, yet they have committed 10 turnovers in the
four games that they have lost. Getting Michael Brewer back will be crucial in the Hokies trying to improve on this. Throughout their respective careers at Virginia Tech, Brenden Motley has accumulated an interception-to-attempt ratio of 4.29 percent, whereas Michael Brewer has been slightly more successful at 3.40 percent. A major reason for this is because of Motley’s penchant for staring down receivers as soon as he snapped the ball. Before the play even began, it seemed that Motley had an idea of who he wanted to throw to and would trace that receiver with his eyes for the entire duration of the play, leading to easy reads and interceptions by opposing defensive backs. The return of Michael Brewer gives the Hokies’ offense a more experienced option under center, a quarterback that is more capable of reading through multiple progressions. This experience will also allow Loeffler to create a more diversified game plan. With Motley under center, Loeffler struggled at times to innovate and fell
into a rut of predictable and conservative play calls. At times, it was easy to see that opposing defenses knew exactly what the Hokies offense was lined up to do. Brewer’s deeper understanding of the Virginia Tech playbook will allow Loeffler to be more free and innovative in his playcalling. Going forward, there is no excuse for the Hokies to stick to a conservative, predictable offensive scheme. After spending weeks on the bench, watching helplessly through heartbreaking loss after loss, Brewer is back and ready to lead his team. Brewer will probably not be drafted into the NFL, he probably will not have his jersey retired by Virginia Tech, but right now his leadership could be the difference between extending his legendary coach’s bowl streak and ending one of the greatest runs in college football. @GautamRaoCT
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collegiatetimes.com TREVOR WHITE / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Reggie Gallaspy (25) tries to punch through the Virginia Tech defensive front. Opposing teams have had success running the ball against Virginia Tech.
BIG PLAYS ON THE GROUND HURTING HOKIES Duke has the weapons on offense to take advantage of a run defense that has allowed too many big plays this season. RICKY LABLUE editor in chief
They only allowed two of those plays to Miami but allowed several through the air as Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya picked apart the Tech defense. Against Ohio State, the Hokies allowed 139 rushing yards just from quarterbacks Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett. Tech allowed 184 yards just to East Carolina quarterbacks Blake Kemp and James Summers. They also allowed 41 yards to Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks in that defeat. Scra mbling qua r terbacks have Foster’s Achilles’ heel in recent seasons. The Bear is always a lesser formation when the quarterback is a runner, simply because of numbers. Bud Foster’s Bear formation is when Tech drops a linebacker down onto the defensive line, creating a defensive front of five players,
with two linebackers playing off the line of scrimmage. When opposing teams run designed quarterback run plays, it usually creates a numbers problem at the point of attack. Several times this season, a defender has been in a position where he must choose between a running back and a quarterback on an option play. Whichever the defender chooses, the quarterback will go the other way — he’ll either pitch to the back or keep it. The linebackers, mostly Andrew Motuapuaka, have failed to get off blocks and protect the perimeters in the run game. Motuapuaka has been battling injuries this season, but he needs to hold his own more in the run game and see DEFENSE / page 8
October 23, 2015 PAGE 7
Something is amiss on defense for Virginia Tech. It isn’t the secondary. The Hokies rank 17th in the nation in passing yards allowed, giving up only 171.3 yards per game through the air. The problem this season has been with the “front seven” of the defense: the defensive line and linebackers. Historically, Virginia Tech has been solid against the run. The last solid season the Hokies had was in 2011, when the Hokies won 11 games. That season, Virginia Tech was 18th overall in the nation stopping the run. This season, Virginia Tech ranks 83rd in the nation in rushing defense, which is
actually worse than U.Va. Not only are the Hokies struggling to stop opposing teams from running the ball on the ground, the defensive front is struggling to get to the quarterback. Tech has only registered 15 sacks this season, which is tied for 42nd in the nation. Defensive end Dadi Nicolas, who has been listed as a potential first-round draft pick in the NFL Draft, has yet to register a sack this season. On the other side, Ken Ekanem has been credited with 1.5 sacks. Why is the Virginia Tech defense struggling so much to stop the run and get to the quarterback? Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster’s defense has struggled to stop big plays. In the Hokies’ four losses, they’ve allowed 20 rushes of 12 yards or more.
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TECHDUKE
Nationally ranked Duke (No. 23) doubles Virginia Tech in touchdowns scored and more than doubles the Hokies’ rushing yardage. Tech’s defense will need to contain Duke’s run game.
DUKE
1192 1399
2364 2547
Yards Lost Rushing
207
183
133
Rushing Attempts
56
130
Average Per Rush
287 4.2
492 4.8
12
23
Average Per Game
170.3 9
181.8 24
DUKE
TOUCHDOWNS
32.4
Touchdowns Scored
58-497 71.0
64-503
RUSHING YARDAGE
38.7
Yards Gained Rushing
286
Rushing
135 67
Passing Penalty
Points Per Game
PENALTIES-YARDS Average Per Game
FIRST DOWNS collegiatetimes.com
TECH 26
TECH 29.4
SCORING
TDs Rushing
TRAVON: Freshman to take on increased role
PAGE 8 October 23, 2015
from page 2
McMillian has been superb at running the ball. He has only started twice, but he has played in every game for the Hokies. Additionally, he has compiled 418 rushing yards this year on 59 carries, averaging seven yards per carry. Along with these numbers, McMillian has also run in one touchdown that came two weeks ago during the Hokies’ win against NC State. McMillian exceeds expectations of running the ball with his ability to consistently catch. So far this year he only has 62 receiving yards. However, he averages five and half yards per catch. These short yardage throws help Virginia Tech move the chains enough to really set up the offense. This freshman also has one receiving touchdown from
when Virginia Tech played Miami. McMillian was named one of the players of the game against Miami. So far his fluidity in the offense has shown him to be a very valuable addition to the Virginia Tech football team. Despite the Hokies’ subpar season, McMillian has shown that the program is instituting changes and is headed in the right direction. The Hokies should use their talents more in the upcoming game against No. 23 Duke and look to McMillian more on the receiving end. McMillian has indeed proven himself worthy this season. Right now he is providing hope for the future of Virginia Tech football.
@CTSports
52
DEFENSE: Hokies must stop Duke’s Sirk, Powell from page 7
contain on perimeter runs. Unfortunately for Virginia Tech, it plays a Duke team this week that has a quarterback who is fantastic in creating plays with his feet. Thomas Sirk has carried the ball 75 times for the Blue Devils, averaging 4.3 yards per play. He has also scored two touchdowns on the ground. His 325 rushing yards lead the team. Sirk is also getting it done through the air, completing 62.4 percent of his passes and throwing seven touchdowns. Duke has a host of contributors at running back, including last year’s starter Shaq Powell. Powell has compiled 302 rushing yards for three touchdowns. In total, six different players have had rushing touchdowns
this season. The ground game has hurt the Hokies this season, and they won’t get a break this week. They need the defensive front to get penetration and to fill gaps at the line of scrimmage. The linebackers must be able to get sideline to sideline and contain Duke’s running game. Duke is a very polished team offensively, and its offensive line is one of the better groups in the ACC. If Virginia Tech is going to turn things around, it will need better performances on defense. Opposing teams are beating Virginia Tech the way the Hokies used to win games – by pounding the rock and winning the line of scrimmage.
@RickyLaBlue