Since the Hokies joined the Atlantic Coast Conference, they have managed to only lose one conference road game. That blemish took place Oct. 12, 2006, when the Boston College Eagles beat the Hokies, 22-3.
Of course, all Tech fans remember Matt Ryan going Temple of Doom on their hearts last year at Lane Stadium, but Hokie Nation ultimately had the last laugh by defeating the Eagles in the ACC Championship, 30-16.
That leads us to this Saturday's showdown at Alumni Stadium, where the Hokies will try to remain undefeated in conference play while the Eagles try to keep pace behind Wake Forest in the Atlantic division.
Ever since the day Ryan became one of the most despised athletes for Hokies everywhere, the football team learned a valuable lesson: close out your opponent.
"We've definitely taken more pride into finishing games out," said starting senior guard Nick Marshman. "I think the Carolina game was a real good example of closing out a game."
In order to defeat Boston College, the Hokies must find a way to move the football more efficiently on the offensive side of the ball. Against the Hilltoppers out of Western Kentucky, the Hokies' offense only managed to produce 293 total yards. The lone bright spot offensively in that game was when quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed his first passing touchdown of the season -- a 27-yard toss to tight end Greg Boone.
Tech's offense will have a much more difficult task at hand when it faces the Eagles' second-ranked scoring defense in the ACC, which holds opponents to an average of 11 points per game.
The success of the BC defense starts with its dominating tandem at defensive tackle. Senior defensive tackles Ron Brace and B.J. Raji will be the deciding factors as to whether the Hokies' rushing attack will succeed. As of now, the Tech offensive line will approach the game plan just as any other opponent.
"Their big guys move well, a lot of teams haven't run the zone running game at them because of their d-tackles, but we plan on running our schemes," Marshman said.
Tech's rushing attack has been steadily improving as the season has progressed and currently averages 175 yards per game on the ground. That stat may take a hit because of the season-ending injury to running back Kenny Lewis Jr.
The freshman duo of Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby will look to carry the load against the Eagles, but no matter who is running the football, Tech's offense must control the line of scrimmage.
"As an offensive line, we don't really notice which running back is in there," Marshman said. "We just have to make the holes to run through."
If the running game struggles, the Hokies may rely on the playmaking ability of sophomore Taylor -- who currently averages 166 yards of total offense per game.
Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski knows just how dangerous Taylor can be.
"Their quarterback can break the game open," Jagodzinski said. "(Taylor) doesn't make it easy; he poses such a threat to run with the football."
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