Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 21, 2016 37 BY BRYAN DRISKELL VIRGINIA TECH RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Virginia Tech's offense has struggled in recent seasons, and its inability to effectively run the football was one of the primary factors. In the four seasons prior to head coach Justin Fuente's arrival, the Hokies never eclipsed 160.0 yards rushing per game and had a low mark of 119.8 yards per contest in 2013. Fuente has helped rebuild the ground attack, which used to be a staple of Frank Beamer's pro- gram. The Hokies ranked 47th nationally in rushing offense through Nov. 5, averaging 193.3 yards per game and 4.1 yards per rush. The addition of junior college quarterback Jerod Evans has provided a major boost to the ground game. He paced the Hokies in rushing with 533 yards through nine games. Sophomore running back Travon McMillian added another 527 yards and was tied with Evans in rushing touchdowns with four. Notre Dame's rushing defense has been up and down all season. It gave up 201.0 yards per game in the season's first four weeks, and Navy ripped the Irish defense for 320 yards Nov. 5. In the four games in between, the Irish held opponents to just 119.3 yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry. Crucial to Notre Dame is winning the battle up front against a physical and experienced Virginia Tech offensive line. In order to win that battle, fifth-year senior nose guard Jarron Jones and se- nior end Isaac Rochell will have to produce. The pair combined for 15 tackles for loss in the team's first nine games. Advantage: Virginia Tech VIRGINIA TECH PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Evans has also provided an upgrade to the Vir- ginia Tech aerial attack, which ranked 47th nation- ally at 251.1 yards per game. That number does not necessarily do justice to the Hokies' effective- ness throwing the ball. Virginia Tech averaged 8.3 yards per attempt and 13.8 yards per completion in its first nine games, which listed 23rd and 26th, respectively, in the national rankings. Evans was 15th in passing touch- downs with 21, but his two interceptions through nine games was arguably his most impressive stat and a key reason he posted the nation's 10th-best passer efficiency rating at 160.6. When Evans goes to the air, he has had limited choices. Through nine games, only three Virginia Tech players caught at least 10 passes. Virginia Tech's top pass catcher was speedy junior wideout Isaiah Ford, who led the offense with 50 catches for 710 yards and six touch- downs. Ford's speed presents a difficult matchup for opponents. Tight end turned wideout Bucky Hodges is also a matchup nightmare at 6-7 and 245 pounds. Hodges is an athletic pass catcher who hauled in 33 passes for 492 yards and five scores in Virginia Tech's first nine games. Notre Dame's passing defense ranked a respect- able 41st nationally through Nov. 5, giving up just 208.0 yards per game. However, the Irish also rank just 69th in yards per completion (12.5) and 90th in yards per attempt (7.6). Its pass efficiency de- fense ranked 73rd with a 133.4 rating. The Irish defense will start three freshmen against the potent Hokies passing attack, which adds to Virginia Tech's advantage. Advantage: Virginia Tech NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. VIRGINIA TECH RUN DEFENSE Through nine games this season, the Notre Dame run game has been disappointing. The Irish ranked just 96th in the land with an average of 149.4 yards per game, while their 4.2 yards per carry GAME PREVIEW: VIRGINIA TECH On PaPer Junior wide receiver Isaiah Ford leads the way for a potent passing attack, hauling in 50 receptions for 710 yards and six scores in the Hokies' first nine contests. PHOTO COURTESY VIRGINIA TECH