Hokies and Seminoles meet up in Blacksburg
The 11th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies welcome the resurgent Florida State Seminoles to Blacksburg this weekend, for a key ACC battle.
The Hokies control their own destiny in the Coastal Division. At 4-1 in - conference, Frank Beamer's squad is just a half game behind division- leading Virginia (5-1), with a game against the Cavaliers looming large to close out the regular season. The Hokies bounced back from a tough loss to Boston College two weeks ago, by beating up on Georgia Tech last week, 27-3.
The Seminoles are just 3-3 in league play, but are coming off one of the best performances in recent years, upsetting then second-ranked Boston College in Chestnut Hill last weekend, 27-17. The win was the second in a row, following two straight losses to Wake Forest and Miami-Florida.
The Seminoles hold a 21-10-1 edge in the all-time series with the Hokies and have won 12 straight meetings, including a 27-22 decision in the inaugural ACC Championship Game in 2005, the last time these two teams met on the gridiron. Tech's last win over FSU came in 1975. FSU coach Bobby Bowden is a perfect 16-0 lifetime against Virginia Tech.
FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford had one of the best games of his career, as he threw for 354 yards and two TDs, leading the Seminoles to the upset win over BC last week. For his effort, Weatherford was named the ACC's Offensive Player of the Week. In seven games played this season, Weatherford has done a fine job under center, completing 61.5 percent of his passes, for 1,335 yards, with seven TDs and just one INT. The passing game is generating just over 258 yards per game and is clearly the strength of this unit. It certainly helps to have so much talent on the outside. WRs Preston Parker (46 receptions, for 609 yards and three TDs), De'Cody Fagg (36 receptions, for 526 yards and three TDs) and Greg Carr (32 receptions, for 605 yards and three TDs) give Weatherford plenty of options in the vertical game. Tailback Antone Smith has provided the balance with his hard running. Smith leads the team with 645 yards (4.0 ypc), but has scored just three times this year. He has turned it up a notch of late, accounting for 415 yards of offense in the last three games.
The Seminoles are a solid defensive team in 2007, although not the type of shutdown unit that is expected in Tallahassee year in and year out. Still, FSU has done a nice job against the run, limiting foes to just 90.4 yards per game, on a mere 2.8 yards per carry. The linebacking corps is the heart-and- soul of the defense. Derek Nicholson paces the team in tackles with 64 stops. However, it is Geno Hayes who is the top playmaker on the squad. Hayes is second with 60 total tackles, but leads the team in TFLs (14), adding three sacks, one INT and two forced fumbles. Safety Roger Williams (45 tackles, one sack, one INT) and cornerback Myron Rolle (45 tackles, two fumble recoveries) highlight the play in the secondary, while rush end Everette Brown (24 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks) represents the team's top pass rusher.
A struggling offense finally got on track last week, as Virginia Tech erupted for a season-high 481 yards in its rout of Georgia Tech. QB Sean Glennon was masterful in the win, completing 22-of-32 passes, for 296 yards and two TDs, while rushing for another score. It was a much-needed performance from an offense that is netting just 315.0 yards per game on the year. Glennon has split time with freshman Tyrod Taylor this year, but has certainly earned some points with Beamer for this past week's effort. On the season, Glennon has completed a solid 63.9 percent of his passes, but they have gone for a mere 1,028 yards, with six TDs and two INTs. There aren't any real go-to-guys in the vertical game, as Josh Morgan's 29 receptions, for 378 yards and three TDs are tops on the team. Another area of great struggle has been the ground game. Tailback Branden Ore has not lived up to his potential, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry and 61.4 yards per game. However, Branden Ore had 86 yards rushing against the Yellow Jackets and could be turning things around as well.
Regarded as a playmaking defense for years, this season's version of the Tech stop unit has not disappointed. The Hokies get it done in just about every facet of the game, as evidenced by their complete domination of Georgia Tech last week. The Hokies held the Yellow Jackets to just three points, while forcing six turnovers, including five INTs. Opponents on the year are averaging just 300.3 yards of total offense and are constantly playing on their heels. In all, Tech has recorded 20 takeaways (15 INTs) and 31 sacks. Leading this active group are LBs Xavier Adibi (team-high 75 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, one INT) and Vince Hall (61 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks). Hall however, has been sidelined recently with a broken wrist, but should return soon, although he is not listed on the two-deep roster this week. All- American candidate Brandon Flowers (55 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, three INTs) headlines the secondary and rush end Chris Ellis (30 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) is the top performer along the line.
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