Hokie ClubHeading into the upcoming weekend, the Hokies and Scarlet Knights each look for a key non-conference victory when they meet inside Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. E.T., with the game set to air on ACC Network.
Welcome To Sacksburg
The history of Tech football has partially been built around the ability to get to the opposing quarterback. So far this season, that’s been no exception.
In last week’s 37-17 runaway win over Old Dominion, the Hokies registered five total sacks against both of the Monarchs’ signal-callers, with Antwaun Powell-Ryland racking up a whopping four on the day to help set the tone. That performance gives Tech 10 sacks on the year, with the Hokies averaging over three sacks a contest in 2024.
It’s the second time Powell-Ryland secured four total sacks in a single game in his Tech career, having already done so in last year’s win over Wake Forest in a dominant affair.
Not only that, the Portsmouth, Virginia, product became just the second Hokie to tally four sacks in a game, twice in his collegiate career – joining only the legendary Bruce Smith, who did so in both 1983 and 1984.
On the flip side, Rutgers is one of only eight teams to have not allowed a single sack so far this season, with the Scarlet Knights’ run-heavy offense helping prevent opposing defenses from rampaging into the backfield.
A Key Play
Getting off the field when facing a third down is always a key ingredient week in and week out. For Saturday’s matchup against a run-heavy Rutgers offense, it becomes even more of a focal point.
Having started 2-0 with wins over both Howard and Akron, Rutgers finds itself sixth in the country when it comes to third-down conversions, beginning the year 11-of-19 (57.9%), ranking second in the Big Ten behind only Indiana.
To counter, Tech’s opponents have gone a measly 12-for-42 (28.6%) on third downs this year, with the Hokies holding Old Dominion to just 2-for-13 a week ago in the 20-point win.
Offensive Attack
Sticking with Tech on the defensive side of the ball, the Hokies allowed 293 yards of total offense to the Monarchs in the win over ODU. Going back a week prior, Marshall put up just 278 yards of offense against defensive coordinator Chris Marve’s group.
This week, though, presents a brand new challenge. The Scarlet Knights come to Blacksburg boasting the 16th best offense in college football so far this year, with Rutgers putting up nearly 500 yards a game and over seven yards a play.
That all starts with running back Kyle Monangai, who rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Akron two weeks ago. He’ll face a defensive unit that allows just south of 315 yards a game. The Scarlet Knights will have to get past the Hokies’ improved defensive front to find success on Saturday afternoon.
Home Field Advantage
Dating back to their days duking it out in the Big East, Tech and Rutgers have had their fair share of battles on a year-to-year basis from 1992-2003.
In actuality, the two programs met six times in Blacksburg during that span, with the Hokies winning all six of those meetings and having outscored the Scarlet Knights 131-21 the last three times they’ve faced off on Worsham Field.
Brent Pry and company will look to recapture that same magic as the third-year head coach searches for his first win over a Big Ten opponent.
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