Ranked its highest since 1994, No.19 Duke has the ACC Coastal Division crown within its grasp entering the final stretch of the season. With Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Wake Forest—a combined 10-17—left on the slate, an 11-1 finish and ACC Championship date with Florida State Dec. 6 is looking more and more likely. The Blue Devils will host the Hokies Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium at 12 p.m. Every week throughout the football season, we’ll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.
Duke: running back Shaquille Powell
The Las Vegas, Nev., native was given a season-high 17 carries last week against Syracuse. Although he didn’t erupt for huge yardage—gaining only 68 yards—and didn’t score, it was a good sign that the Duke offense was trying to assert its consistency and dominance on the ground. His longest run this year has only been 17 yards and has yet to top the century mark this season, but against a Virginia Tech run defense ranked 72nd in the FBS, Powell should have a breakout given enough carries. It has been difficult for any individual Duke running back to settle into a groove and put on a strong performance this year—with the exception of freshman Shaun Wilson’s 245-yard explosion—but if there’s any one back Duke will lean on from its stable of backs, it will likely by Powell.
To make matters worse for the Virginia Tech defense, it will be missing cornerback Brandon Facyson (shin), defensive tackle Luther Maddy (knee) and linebacker Chase Williams (knee) due to injuries. The Duke offensive line must impose its will in the box and open up holes for Powell and the Blue Devil backs, something it failed to do last week against Syracuse when they only rushed for 98 yards on 3.0 yards per carry.
Virginia Tech: right tackle Wade Hansen and offensive line
The Hokies have been hit with the injury bug hard this year—especially along the offensive line. Virginia Tech offensive linemen Brent Benedict (blood clots) and Mark Shuman (knee) were sidelined with career-ending ailments before the season even began. Earlier this week, head coach Frank Beamer added that incumbent right tackle Jonathan McLaughlin would be heading to the sidelines as well with a season-ending ankle injury. The sophomore has started every game for the past two years along the Hokie offensive line since he arrived.
Hansen, a defensive tackle-turned-offensive tackle, is a transfer from Division III Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and sat out last year due to eligibility rules. The Virginia Tech offense will need strong line play to execute against an opportunistic Duke defense that has 15 takeaways on the season. Hansen specifically will have to be on top of his game to keep Blue Devil defensive ends Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo and Dezmond Johnson at bay.
The Blue Devils have only sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times this year but even when they don’t get to the quarterback, they have applied consistent pressure and forced passers into errant misfires. Hokie quarterback Michael Brewer has thrown 11 picks this year and will need time in the pocket to pick his battles against a talented Duke secondary that has given up only five touchdowns and 5.9 yards per attempt. Virginia Tech’ offense will need to capitalize on every scoring opportunity they get against a stout defense that—despite a 48-point implosion against Pittsburgh two weeks ago—is ranked 11th in the FBS with only 18.2 points given up per game.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.