University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Matchup Preview: Pitt at Virginia Tech
11/17/2017 3:30:00 PM | Football
The Pitt football team is back in Blacksburg looking to repeat its 2015 success when the Panthers take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday afternoon.
Here is a matchup preview of the 12:20 p.m. Coastal Division clash, which will be shown on the ACC Network and locally on WTAE Channel 4:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: VIRGINIA TECH
Pitt and Virginia Tech only met for the first time in football in 1993; but since then, the Panthers and Hokies have developed a fierce rivalry on the gridiron as first Big East and now ACC foes. Virginia Tech leads the series, 9-7, but Pitt has won six of the last eight contests.
This season, Virginia Tech opened with a win over another one of Pitt's traditional rivals, West Virginia, and would go on to begin with a 7-1 start, earning a top-15 ranking. However, the Hokies have dropped out of the top 25 following consecutive road losses to Miami and Georgia Tech and sit at 7-3 (3-3 ACC) heading into Saturday's game. At 4-6 (2-4 ACC), Pitt has an opportunity to leap over Virginia Tech in the ACC standings with a win.
BREAKING DOWN THE MATCHUP
The Coaches
Pitt's Pat Narduzzi owns a 20-16 overall coaching record in his third season at Pitt, including a 1-1 mark against Virginia Tech. His opponent on Saturday, Virginia Tech's Justin Fuente, is 17-7 with the Hokies as he nears the completion of his second season in Blacksburg. VT hired Fuente after his successful four-year spell at Memphis, and his overall coaching record sits at 43-30.
When Pitt Has the Ball
Junior Darrin Hall is coming off three straight 100-yard rushing games and a four-touchdown output against North Carolina last Thursday. Hall, who now leads the Panthers in scoring with 60 points on 10 TDs this season, credits the Pitt offensive line with his recent outburst. The Panthers are led by Brian O'Neill, Alex Officer, Jimmy Morrissey, Alex Bookser, Jaryd Jones-Smith and others up front.
Quarterback Ben DiNucci and the Pitt passing attack will need to have a big game as the Panthers prepare to face long-time Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster's group.
Defensively, Virginia Tech is led by linebacking tone-setters Tremaine Edmunds and Andrew Motuapuaka, who lead the Hokies with 86 and 75 tackles, respectively. Both players also have 8.5 tackles for loss this season. Motuapuaka is set to wear No. 25 on VT's Senior Day Saturday in honor of legendary Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.
When Virginia Tech Has the Ball
The Hokies are quarterbacked by a talented redshirt freshman, Josh Jackson, who has thrown 17 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions while rushing for 204 yards and three more scores. Cam Phillips and Sean Savoy lead a dynamic corps of Tech receivers, with Phillips in contention for All-ACC honors as he nears 1,000 receiving yards this season.
The Pitt defense must not only shut down Virginia Tech's multiple running backs on Saturday but also be aware of Jackson's dual-threat ability and the Hokies' vaunted passing attack. Cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Dane Jackson will be key, as will the Panthers' safeties and linebackers.
Special Teams
Pitt's special teams continue to feature returning All-American Quadree Henderson, whose seven career kick return TDs put him just two shy of the NCAA record. Henderson owns punt return TDs of 75 and 80 yards this season, giving him the Pitt school record with three career scores via punt return.
In the kicking game, the Panthers showcase senior All-ACC candidate Ryan Winslow, who is averaging 44.1 yards per punt during a fantastic final campaign, while redshirt freshman placekicker Alex Kessman continues to be perfect on extra points (29-for-29) and has booted 10 total field goals with two from 50 yards or more.
Virginia Tech, historically known throughout college football as special teams gurus, boast a prolific returner of its own in Greg Stroman, who is tied with Henderson for the ACC lead with two punt return TDs this season. Travon McMillian, also VT's starting running back, returns kicks for the Hokies.
Veteran placekicker Joey Slye tied an ACC record with six field goals in Virginia Tech's 39-36 win at Heinz Field last season and continues to serve his team well, while Oscar Bradburn also provides consistent punting for Saturday's home team.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
Here is a matchup preview of the 12:20 p.m. Coastal Division clash, which will be shown on the ACC Network and locally on WTAE Channel 4:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: VIRGINIA TECH
Pitt and Virginia Tech only met for the first time in football in 1993; but since then, the Panthers and Hokies have developed a fierce rivalry on the gridiron as first Big East and now ACC foes. Virginia Tech leads the series, 9-7, but Pitt has won six of the last eight contests.
This season, Virginia Tech opened with a win over another one of Pitt's traditional rivals, West Virginia, and would go on to begin with a 7-1 start, earning a top-15 ranking. However, the Hokies have dropped out of the top 25 following consecutive road losses to Miami and Georgia Tech and sit at 7-3 (3-3 ACC) heading into Saturday's game. At 4-6 (2-4 ACC), Pitt has an opportunity to leap over Virginia Tech in the ACC standings with a win.
BREAKING DOWN THE MATCHUP
The Coaches
Pitt's Pat Narduzzi owns a 20-16 overall coaching record in his third season at Pitt, including a 1-1 mark against Virginia Tech. His opponent on Saturday, Virginia Tech's Justin Fuente, is 17-7 with the Hokies as he nears the completion of his second season in Blacksburg. VT hired Fuente after his successful four-year spell at Memphis, and his overall coaching record sits at 43-30.
When Pitt Has the Ball
Junior Darrin Hall is coming off three straight 100-yard rushing games and a four-touchdown output against North Carolina last Thursday. Hall, who now leads the Panthers in scoring with 60 points on 10 TDs this season, credits the Pitt offensive line with his recent outburst. The Panthers are led by Brian O'Neill, Alex Officer, Jimmy Morrissey, Alex Bookser, Jaryd Jones-Smith and others up front.
Quarterback Ben DiNucci and the Pitt passing attack will need to have a big game as the Panthers prepare to face long-time Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster's group.
Defensively, Virginia Tech is led by linebacking tone-setters Tremaine Edmunds and Andrew Motuapuaka, who lead the Hokies with 86 and 75 tackles, respectively. Both players also have 8.5 tackles for loss this season. Motuapuaka is set to wear No. 25 on VT's Senior Day Saturday in honor of legendary Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.
When Virginia Tech Has the Ball
The Hokies are quarterbacked by a talented redshirt freshman, Josh Jackson, who has thrown 17 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions while rushing for 204 yards and three more scores. Cam Phillips and Sean Savoy lead a dynamic corps of Tech receivers, with Phillips in contention for All-ACC honors as he nears 1,000 receiving yards this season.
The Pitt defense must not only shut down Virginia Tech's multiple running backs on Saturday but also be aware of Jackson's dual-threat ability and the Hokies' vaunted passing attack. Cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Dane Jackson will be key, as will the Panthers' safeties and linebackers.
Special Teams
Pitt's special teams continue to feature returning All-American Quadree Henderson, whose seven career kick return TDs put him just two shy of the NCAA record. Henderson owns punt return TDs of 75 and 80 yards this season, giving him the Pitt school record with three career scores via punt return.
In the kicking game, the Panthers showcase senior All-ACC candidate Ryan Winslow, who is averaging 44.1 yards per punt during a fantastic final campaign, while redshirt freshman placekicker Alex Kessman continues to be perfect on extra points (29-for-29) and has booted 10 total field goals with two from 50 yards or more.
Virginia Tech, historically known throughout college football as special teams gurus, boast a prolific returner of its own in Greg Stroman, who is tied with Henderson for the ACC lead with two punt return TDs this season. Travon McMillian, also VT's starting running back, returns kicks for the Hokies.
Veteran placekicker Joey Slye tied an ACC record with six field goals in Virginia Tech's 39-36 win at Heinz Field last season and continues to serve his team well, while Oscar Bradburn also provides consistent punting for Saturday's home team.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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