Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football will travel to Durham, North Carolina, for a crucial showdown against the Duke Blue Devils in their second-to-last regular-season game. With bowl eligibility still in play, the Hokies will look to extend their strong 19-11 all-time record against Duke, as the two teams face off for the first time since 2022. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m., with coverage on ACC Network. In this week’s ‘Know the Foe,’ presented by AAA, we’ll break down what to expect from the Blue Devils and how Virginia Tech stacks up heading into this matchup.
Both teams enter the game refreshed after their second bye week of the season, ready to finish the year strong. Duke, led by first-year head coach Manny Diaz, is navigating a transitional season. Diaz, who previously served as Penn State's defensive coordinator from 2022-2023, succeeded Head Coach Brent Pry in that role after Pry took the reins at Virginia Tech. Known for his aggressive defensive schemes, Diaz brings a blitz-heavy philosophy that ranked third nationally in blitz rate (57.9%) last season, per Pro Football Focus. On the offensive side, Duke features Jonathan Brewer as the new offensive coordinator, following stints at No. 13 SMU and No. 11 Miami.
Duke’s roster has undergone significant changes in 2024, with just 14 of the 31 players who logged 300 snaps last season returning. Despite the turnover, the Blue Devils have pieced together a solid season, sitting seventh in the ACC with a 7-3 overall record and 3-3 in-conference. Duke is coming off a 29-19 victory over NC State before their bye, with losses to ranked opponents SMU, Miami and Georgia Tech.
Offensively, Duke employs a fast-paced, no-huddle attack under Brewer’s guidance. The offensive tempo forces defenses to react quickly, often creating confusion and fatigue. Leading the charge is quarterback Maalik Murphy, a transfer from Texas, who has amassed 2,366 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Virginia Tech’s defensive line, anchored by standout Aeneas Peebles—a former Blue Devil—will aim to exploit Murphy’s struggles under pressure, evident in his eight interceptions this season.
Murphy’s primary targets include wide receivers Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol, who have combined for 12 touchdowns and over 1,000 receiving yards. Complementing the passing attack is running back Star Thomas, a transfer from New Mexico State, who has racked up 742 rushing yards and five touchdowns, adding balance to Duke’s offense.
Defensively, the Blue Devils boast a strong secondary led by Chandler Rivers, who has three interceptions, eight passes defended and 38 total tackles. Linebacker Ozzie Nicholas has been another key contributor with 68 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception. Duke ranks seventh nationally in sacks per game (3.43) and leads the country in tackles for loss at 9.9 per game, which creates an average of 37.7 lost yards per game for opponents.
As the Hokies prepare for this pivotal matchup, they’ll lean on their balanced offense and a resilient defense to rise to the challenge in Durham. Virginia Tech’s ability to control the tempo and capitalize on Duke’s vulnerabilities, particularly under pressure, could be the key to success. With bowl eligibility on the line, the Hokies have plenty to fight for, and their strong history against the Blue Devils provides a foundation for confidence.
Following Duke, the Hokies will be back home in Blacksburg to host the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash against Virginia for the first time since 2020 on Saturday, Nov. 30th. While this game is sold out, fans eager to secure their spot for this matchup can still explore single-game ticket options on SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace for Virginia Tech Athletics.