Hokie ClubOn the road for the second straight weekend, Virginia Tech football will play at Liberty on Saturday at noon ET on ESPN+ at Williams Stadium.
For more on what you should know heading into the matchup:
How to Follow
Streaming: Catch the game online at ESPN.com and in the ESPN mobile app, while being available to view on ESPN+, with Matt Warner (play-by-play), Joe Jauch (analyst) and Emily Austen (sideline) on the call.
Radio: The Virginia Tech Sports Network, including its flagship station 105.3 FM "The Bear" in Blacksburg, will carry the contest over the airwaves. Bill Roth will handle play-by-play duties while Mike Burnop provides color commentary and Zach Mackey reports from the sideline.
Live Audio: Listen to live audio coverage of the matchup at HokieSports.com/Watch in the HokieSports mobile app.
Live Stats: Monitor the game through live stats on HokieSports.com, including play-by-play updates and full team and individual statistics.
Social Media: Stay connected with the Hokies on Twitter (@HokiesFB), Instagram (@hokiesfb) and Facebook (@VirginiaTechFB).
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Three Things to Know
1. Third-down play will be critical. Both the Hokies and Flames on the defensive side of the ball have been able to keep teams off the field when it comes to the money down. Tech ranks No. 33 nationally (34.2%) in third-down conversion defensively, while Liberty is No. 12 (29.7%). So, whichever team comes out on the right side of that will certainly have the upper hand in earning the victory.
2. There's been little history between these two schools. Only two games have taken place in the series between Tech and Liberty – the schools are only 90 miles apart – and it is knotted at 1-1. The first game happened in 2016, a 36-13 victory for the Hokies in Blacksburg. But Saturday will mark the first time that the contest has been played in Lynchburg. Liberty has really climbed up the ranks over the years, beginning as an NAIA program before moving up to FCS (Division I-AA) in 1988 and then eventually FBS in 2018. The two schools are scheduled to meet again in 2027.
3. Have to protect the quarterback. Liberty has been able to get after the quarterback this season, ranking No. 5 in the country in sacks per game (3.4). Tech allowed just two sacks in its most recent game at Duke, its fewest since Oct. 1, and will look to build off of that in Lynchburg Saturday. When quarterback Grant Wells has time, he's been able to make defenses pay with a deep ball, completing 15 passes this season of over 25 yards, including a 53-yarder at Duke last Saturday.
Top Performers in Week 11
Defensive back Mansoor Delane: Hauling in his first career interception, Delane did so with the defense backed up against the end zone, as Duke was in the red zone. The freshman also recorded seven tackles (3 solo), marking his second-highest tackle total this season.
Wide receiver Da'Wain Lofton: Catching his second touchdown of the season, the 5-foot-11, 193-pound receiver hauled in his career long of 53 yards from quarterback Grant Wells on Tech's first drive of the game. Lofton finished with three catches for 75 yards.
Linebacker Keonta Jenkins: Causing some pressure on Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, Jenkins came away with two quarterback hurries and five tackles, including three solo. His two hurries marked his most in a game during his three-year career, while his five tackles were the fourth time this year he's had five or more.