Fresh off a much-needed bye week, Duke football is rested and poised to make a run at the upper tier of the ACC standings with a home matchup against Virginia Tech Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3 ACC) enter the game looking to maintain their momentum after a strong start to the season, while the Hokies (5-5, 3-3) are fighting to become bowl-eligible after tough losses to No. 17 Clemson and Syracuse.
Even though Virginia Tech returned 22 starters from a team that won a bowl game last December, according to 247Sports, it still has not hit its stride with just two games remaining in the regular season.
Now that the Blue Devils are back at home, they’re looking to capitalize on the Hokies’ two-game losing streak. Virginia Tech earned solid conference wins this season, including victories over Boston College and Georgia Tech. However, it has struggled to keep pace with higher-ranked competition. A Nov. 9 matchup against Clemson exposed tell-tale inconsistencies, especially on offense. The Tigers stymied the Hokies with an aggressive defense and strong play from quarterback Cade Klubnik, holding them to a season-low 228 total yards. The Virginia Tech offense also went a staggering low 2-for-14 on third-down conversions, further highlighting their offensive struggles.
The Hokies have leaned heavily on their ground game this season, with Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten as the key contributors in the backfield. The ability to establish the run has been pivotal in many of Virginia Tech’s wins, allowing it to control the clock, sustain drives and take pressure off Drones in the pocket. The Hokies' rushing attack has been particularly effective at opening up opportunities for play-action passes, which helps keep defenses off balance.
Drones, a dual-threat quarterback, has added a new dimension to Virginia Tech's rushing attack. While his primary role is as a thrower, Drones' ability to tuck the ball and run has made him an additional weapon in the ground game. So far this season, Drones has rushed for 336 yards on 98 carries for an average of 3.4 yards per carry. He has also accumulated six rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to run the ball in short-yardage situations. This allows head coach Brent Pry to use Drones as a multifaceted offensive weapon.
Alongside Drones in the backfield is Tuten, who has been a breakout star for the Hokies this season. The North Carolina A&T transfer has proven to be a big play threat, using his speed and agility to consistently gain yards in chunks. Tuten has accumulated 951 yards on 146 carries, with 12 rushing touchdowns on the season. His explosiveness was on full display in Virginia Tech’s 37-14 win over Boston College Oct. 17, when he rushed for 266 yards on just 18 carries. Tuten's ability to break through the first line of defense and get to the second level has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and his burst through the hole helps stretch defenses thin.
Although the Hokies’ rushing offense is strong, if Duke’s defense can shut down the run game and force the visitors into predictable passing situations, it will limit their offensive options and create numerous opportunities to capitalize on.
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