Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football Head Coach James Franklin spoke to the media Monday afternoon following Tech's 21-14 win at Boston College last weekend. The Hokies are 4-0 for the first time since 2017 and will turn the page to a short week matchup with the Pitt Panthers.
Head Coach James Franklin
Opening statement:
"Being back at home this week is obviously going to be significant. We need it to be a home field advantage. We need it to be a four quarter game, four quarters of support from our fans and our students. That's going to be a really important factor in this game. We need to have a significant home field advantage. This is also Pitt's first game this year on the road. We're going to need to have a challenging, tough environment for an offense that's doing a bunch of really good things. Tremendous challenge. I'm very familiar with Pitt and (Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi). I think he's done a phenomenal job in his 12 years at Pitt. When you think of Pitt and Narduzzi, you think about their defense. They're playing really good defense. They've got a system, they've been running it for a long time. It's difficult to run on, it's difficult to pass on from a protection standpoint. The Offensive Coordinator hire, Kade Bell, was kind of out of character for what Pat has done in the past. These guys are going to throw the ball around all over the field. They also have three good backs we've got a ton of respect for. And then like you'd expect from a defensive-minded coach, they're also really good on special teams. I've got a lot of respect for Pat professionally. We're going to need a heck of an environment and home field advantage to be 1-0 this week."
On what he's seen from QB Mason Heintschel and RB Damon Ferguson Jr:
"I've been impressed with their offensive coordinator (Kade Bell). I've studied him for a number of years. He knows how to move the ball. He's got a system that has answers in it. (Pitt QB Mason Heintschel) is playing at a really high level for them. He's a good decision-maker and does a really good job distributing the ball. (Pitt RB Damon Ferguson Jr.) not only has he been impressive, but their whole group has. They've got three backs, and all three of them are productive. I would say I view these guys as a pass-to-set-up-the-run type of offense, in my opinion. They have shown the ability to run the ball. You better respect it, or they're going to have a chance to be productive."