Central Michigan @ Virginia Tech preview
Lane Stadium
So what’s left for to do after the biggest come-from-behind win in coach Frank Beamer’s tenure at Virginia Tech?
How about not falling behind in the first place in Saturday’s non-conference matchup with visiting Central Michigan?
Though thrilled with his team’s stirring rally from an early 17-point deficit at N.C. State last week, Beamer would love nothing better than to see his veteran Hokies squad play with the same consistency from the outset as they did in storming back on the road for a memorable 41-30 decision over the Wolfpack.
The Chippewas don’t figure to offer as much as resistance but, then again, neither did thought-to-be-overmatched Football Championship Subdivision opponent James Madison, which shocked the Hokies 21-16 last month.
Virginia Tech will undoubtedly have that lesson in mind as it seeks it fourth consecutive victory after back-to-back losses to start the season. After Central Michigan, the Hokies have what appears to be three very winnable games against Wake Forest, Duke and Georgia Tech in which they should be heavily favored. They would need to win out to post double-digit victories for the sixth consecutive year, a feat matched only by Texas.
It was no coincidence Hokies finally erupted from the offensive doldrums that had characterized their season to date at the very same time that tailback Darren Evans showed folks he was back to 2008 form after missing all of last season with a knee injury.
Evans finished with 160 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against North Carolina State. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor did the rest, passing for 123 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 121 more yards on 16 carries.
Thanks to the reinvigorated running game, Virginia Tech managed touchdowns in all three of its red-zone possessions last week and finished with 440 yards of total offense. The Hokies entered the game having scored touchdowns on just nine of 18 possessions inside an opponent’s 20-yard line.
Sophomore cornerback Jayron Hosley was the catalyst on defense, recording three interceptions and four pass breakups in the victory.
Central Michigan figures to have its hands full at Lane Stadium after surrendering 306 yards rushing and 436 overall yards of total offense in disappointing 31-17 setback to visiting Ball State last week. Chippewas quarterback Ryan Radcliff was harassed into three interceptions and was sacked six times in the loss.
CMU trailed 28-3 early in the second half of that game after its first 11 drives ended in eight punts and two turnovers.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools.