Wed Oct 15 10:41:57 2008

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Eagles host Hokies in ACC bout

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Chestnut Hill, MA (Sports Network) - Two teams that enjoyed a bye this past week, get back to work, as the 17th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies come calling on the Boston College Eagles in ACC action in Chestnut Hill this weekend.

Frank Beamer's Hokies sit atop the ACC's Coastal Division standings and are one of just two teams left that are undefeated in league play. Virginia Tech is 5-1 on the year and has won five straight games since dropping the season- opener against East Carolina (27-22). Last time out, the Hokies topped Western Kentucky, 27-13 on October 4th.

The Eagles are 4-1 on the season and bring a three-game win streak into this contest. Jeff Jagodzinski's squad was also last in action on October 4th, outlasting NC State in Raleigh, 38-31 to even its ACC record at 1-1.

These two teams played twice last season. The Eagles took a 14-10 decision in Blacksburg, but the Hokies got the last laugh, winning the conference crown with a 30-16 decision in Jacksonville in the ACC Title Game.

The Hokies are a run-first type of team and it has led to a healthy 174.7 yards per game. A big part of it is the fact that the passing attack has been non-existent, with Tech averaging a modest 118.2 yards passing.

The top performer on this side of the football thus far for Tech has been RB Darren Evans. The 5-10, 210-pounder is averaging just over four yards per carry and has scored eight TDs in the first six games. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been more impressive with his legs than his arm, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 67.6 yards per game. He has completed 61.4 percent of his passes, but that has only led to 495 yards, with one TD. Both will be needed to carry even more of the workload, with the recent injury to tailback Kenny Lewis (heel).

Beamer is certainly concerned about his backfield depth.

"That's a tough loss for us. Last week, I thought Davon Morgan (FS) was a tough loss because of the kind of kid he is and how positive he is. Now we've lost a guy on offense who is pretty much the same way. I hate to see that. I hate to see any injury, but you hate to see those two guys go down."

Danny Coale is the top option downfield now that WR Ike Whitaker has been suspended indefinitely. However Coale has just 12 receptions to his credit.

Usually known for its stingy defensive play, Virginia Tech has relied on its stop unit once again in 2008. The team is allowing 18.5 ppg and while opponents have had some success running on the Hokies (129.3 ypg), the pass defense has been much better (185.0 ypg).

A big play unit, Tech has amassed 16 sacks thus far, while forcing 14 turnovers.

Senior LBs Purnell Sturdivant and Brett Warren are the most productive tacklers on the team, posting 43 and 41 stops, respectively.

Senior DE Orion Martin has been a force up front, leading the team with 9.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. Senior CB Victor Harris is the top playmaker in the secondary, with three interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Quarterback Chris Crane finally distanced himself from the shadow of now NFL star Matt Ryan. Against the Wolfpack, Crane was responsible for 470 yards of total offense, completing 34 passes for 428 yards and two TDs, while adding three more scores on the ground, including the decisive TD with just over 22 seconds remaining in the game.

It was a welcome performance for Crane, who had been pulled in several earlier games due to inconsistent play. On the year, Crane is completing 57 percent of his passes, with four TDs and six interceptions.

Rich Grunnel, who had 11 catches in the win over NC State, now leads all receivers with 16 catches, for 160 yards.

The ground game is still the way BC likes to move the ball, with the team averaging 191.4 yards per game, on nearly five yards per carry (4.9). Freshman Montel Harris has been impressive despite a limited workload. In four games played, Harris is averaging 7.3 yards on 43 carries, with three scores. Crane has provided a nice option down near the goal line, as he is responsible for seven of the team's 13 rushing scores to date.

The Boston College defense has been dominant at times this season, having already posted two shutouts in the first five games. The team has been equally stingy against the run (99.8 ypg) and the pass (153.6 ypg), resulting in a mere 11.4 ppg against.

Another team that relies on big plays, BC has collected 15 sacks and 15 takeaways, including 10 interceptions.

Linebackers Mark Herzlich (41 tackles, two INTs) and Brian Toal (40 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks) highlight the play in the middle of the field. Herzlich led the Eagles in tackles a year ago and is one pace for another productive season.

Senior DT B.J. Raji is a force to be reckoned with along the defensive line, with a third of his 15 tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks.