Hokie ClubHead coach Justin Fuente met with the media via Zoom on Monday, briefly recapping Saturday's game at UNC and previewing this week's home contest against Boston College.
GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, October 17 – 8 p.m. ET
Lane Stadium; Blacksburg, Va.
vs. Boston College (3-1, 2-1)
Game Preview | Gameday Central
The biggest, and likely, least surprising news shared by the head coach was intention to start QB Hendon Hooker on Saturday. Hooker threw for a pair of TDs and ran for another in the second half of last week's game.
Fuente reiterated how proud he is of the team, how they battled under adverse situations. He was especially complimentary with the way so many young players competed, while playing out of position without a lot of preparation at the new positions.
"I'm just really proud of the way the guys battled and came back on two separate occasions to close the thing there in the second half. I'm not into moral victories but I am proud of how our guys battled in tough spots."
The Hokies once again took the field with a number of players missing, although for the first time this season, that number (15 players) was under 20. Much like the Duke game the week before, the majority of the missing players were from the defensive backfield.
Despite the less than full roster, the Hokies did manage to post a season-high-tying 45 points in the loss to North Carolina. Down 21-0 in the first quarter and 35-14 at the half, the Hokies on two occasions tightened the score to a five-point margin before eventually falling 56-45 to the Tar Heels.
Fuente then shifted the focus to the upcoming game with Boston College this Saturday night in Lane Stadium. He knows that the Eagles enter the game playing well.
"We have plenty of work ahead of us. We turn our attention to Boston College, who is 3-1 and playing really well. Coach (Jeff) Hafley has done a fantastic job in a very short time there. They're throwing the ball all over the place with 10,000 shifts and motions. It's going to be a tremendous challenge for us as we get ready to go this week."
Fuente was very complimentary about the BC team and the way some individuals are playing, on both sides of the ball. He noted that the Eagles' defense has held down some potent offenses this season to well below their averages. He was very complimentary about BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec.
"He seems to me to be a big strong kid. I've seen several blitzers bounce off him. Kind of a Ben Roethlisberger-type."
Fuente spoke at length about Hooker. He credits the quarterback with having an easy-going demeanor and being a great communicator. He said that Hooker has led by how he works and how he prepares. He knows what the Hokies are trying to get done on offense.
"He has a little presence about him. He has an easily approachable and easy to talk to demeanor that the guys feel comfortable with."
Fuente is also pleased with the Hokies' running game. Tech gained 266 yards rushing against UNC, led by 138 yards by Khalil Herbert. He also credits the offensive line's play in the first three games in leading Tech's ground game.
"We're going to have to be able to run the ball against everybody if we are going to be able to have success."
Continuing on that topic, Fuente had much to say about the play of Christian Darrisaw. He thinks the junior offensive tackle has the great mix of brains and brawn. He particularly spoke about his footwork and work ethic.
"I would say he has improved every year. He has developed his body into being a strong, powerful body over the years. The thing that gives him the chance to be special is he's so very intelligent.
Here are some other takeaways and notes from Monday.
Fuente said he was hopeful that the team would have some of the players back. Specifically among that group, Fuente said they should get safety Divine Deablo back, after missing the last two games.
Also on Monday, Christian Darrisaw and Lecitus Smith were named to the PFF College National Team of the Week for their play in the North Carolina game.
Vice Squad 💪🏾@Bigdawgchris1 & @Lecitus_54 BOTH named to the National Team of the Week by @PFF_College #HardHatMentality 👷🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/qhZjBatYrb
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) October 12, 2020
DaShawn Crawford is back to practicing and could see action this weekend. He has been out with an injury and has a chance to really contribute to the defensive line.
Fuente stressed that getting players back at both cornerback and safety will help the entire defense, not just the defensive backfield. They weren't able to cross-train people because they didn't have anyone at the other spots. As players return, more can be accomplished.
Brian Johnson's on-side kick was executed perfectly. Fuente said it was a "delicate" play. If you hit it too hard, the other team has a better chance to recover. If you don't hit it hard enough, it doesn't go 10 yards and you can't recover it.
The Hokies game at Wake Forest, set for Oct. 24, will be a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on regional sports networks.