By Jimmy Robertson
BLACKSBURG – For the first time in eight months, the Virginia Tech football team will play a competitive game, as the Hokies wrap up final preparations this week for their season opener Saturday against Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
The Hokies enter the contest looking to avenge last year's defeat in Blacksburg. Tech led that game 14-7 at halftime, but the Eagles scored 14 third-quarter points to grab a lead that they never would relinquish. Travis Levy, the Eagles' No. 2 tailback, scored on two touchdown runs in the second half to lead the way.
As most know, Boston College excels at running the football, and a year ago, the Eagles rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns against the Hokies. AJ Dillon, one of the nation's best running backs, led with way with 96 yards, and he returns to the Eagles' lineup, so the Hokies enter the game knowing that they need to slow down BC's vaunted running game.
"Absolutely, that's a point of emphasis every single week here," Tech head coach Justin Fuente said when asked if stopping the running game is a point of emphasis this week. "Actually doing it is the challenge. They can get the quarterback involved in the run game as well, which poses a whole other set of issues. We certainly know that that's one of the keys to the game – trying to find a way to slow down the rushing attack."
The Hokies open a season on the road against a conference opponent for the second straight season. A year ago, Tech won in Tallahassee, Florida, beating Florida State 24-3. For the third consecutive year in Fuente's four seasons at Tech, the Hokies open with a Power 5 opponent.
"Whatever it is, we try to make the best out of it," Fuente said. "I do like our philosophy and how we prepare for the first game. I think our guys are fresh and have a decent idea of knowing what to do by the time the first game rolls around. It probably depends on the team that you have, how you feel about that on any given year, how much experience you have. Boston College would be a tremendous challenge if they were Week 1 or Week 6 or 9 or 12. They happen to be Week 1."
2019 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL TICKETS
(The Virginia Tech Athletics Department put individual football game tickets on sale Monday morning. Fans interested in purchasing a ticket to any of the Hokies' seven home games may do so by clicking here.)
Tech also once again enters a season with few senior leaders – only five seniors are on the roster. But the Hokies do feature 19 juniors on the initial depth chart released Monday, thus making this team more than experienced than the 2018 version.
"I would say they're more confident," Fuente said of the difference between this year's team and last year's. "They're correct more times on the field. I think at practice they're doing it correctly more often. They got more experience at least and seem to be on the same page. We have to stay healthy in some spots. There are some places where we can get inexperienced really quickly."
The game kicks off at 4 p.m. and can be seen on the ACC Network. To learn more about how/where to watch the game, please click here.
NOTHING NEW ON HOFFMAN
Tech remains in limbo while waiting for an NCAA decision on offensive lineman Brock Hoffman, who transferred from Coastal Carolina in the offseason and is going through the NCAA appeal process for immediate eligibility. Monday's depth chart listed Zechariah Hoyt as the starter at center, with John Harris as the backup, but Fuente and his staff plan to give Hoffman reps the remainder of this week in hopes that the NCAA makes a ruling before kickoff.
"He'll still get reps until we know if he's eligible to play," Fuente said. "I would imagine, barring any unforeseen circumstances, that he'll play (if he's granted eligibility)."
NEW STARTERS ON DEFENSE
Tech entered this fall with nine starters returning on defense. Junior college transfer DaShawn Crawford, who enrolled in January, will take over for the departed Ricky Walker, while Jovonn Quillen and Jermaine Waller continue to battle it out for the starting cornerback position that became open when Bryce Watts decided to transfer.
In a bit of a surprise, Chamarri Conner was listed as the No. 1 nickel ahead of Khalil Ladler, who started 11 games last season. Ladler, though, will see plenty of action, and his versatility is important, as he possesses the ability to play three different positions.
"Khalil is incredibly valuable, first of all," Fuente said. "He can play all three safety positions, [and is a] starter on special teams. Chamarri's been working at that spot since the spring and continued to improve every single day. We have total confidence in being able to put Khalil in there at any time as well."
NO PROBLEMS AT RB
Tech's depth chart listed both Deshawn McClease and Jalen Holston in the No. 1 spot at tailback, with highly acclaimed freshman Keshawn King in third. Fuente expects to use all his tailbacks in a running-back-by-committee approach. Most coaches prefer one back to get the majority of the carries, but Fuente is fine with whoever carries the ball as long as he gains yards.
"I would like to have one guy that carries the ball 35 times, and if we don't, then we won't," Fuente said. "You have what you have, and you make the best of it. I've been really pleased with DeShawn and Jalen – really, really pleased with those guys. We'll see how it goes, and they both earned opportunities to play and they're both going to play."
