The Virginia Tech football team will take the field at Lane Stadium for the last time this season on Saturday when it hosts North Carolina State at 3:30 p.m.
Tech will attempt to solidify its position in the Atlantic Coast Conference against a Wolfpack team that has lost five of its last six games. Nevertheless, head coach Frank Beamer is taking a cautious approach.
“This NC State team is very scary,” Beamer said. “They can score points and get the ball down the field in a hurry. The quarterback is excellent. They’ve got good running backs and tall wide receivers.”
The Wolfpack come into Saturday’s game boasting a 1-5 in-conference record and a 4-6 overall record.
“They have given up a lot of yards but if you watch the film you can tell that they have a very good defense,” Hokies’ junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. “The secondary is a little inexperienced but their front four is one of the best units in the
ACC and they have a good linebacker corps too. We’re still going to play our top game and just go out there and execute the plays that are called.”
With his performance against Maryland that featured 268 yards passing that resulted in three touchdowns, Taylor is currently the most efficient passer in the ACC. He has thrown just three interceptions and completed 56 percent of his passes for 12 touchdowns this season.
“Everyone can tell he’s more relaxed in the pocket,” Tech sophomore wide receiver Jarrett Boykin said of his quarterback. “If he scrambles out, he’s still looking downfield for an open receiver. You can tell he’s having fun. That’s something that’s progressed since this season started.”
Boykin has been the receiver to statistically benefit the most from Taylor’s progression over the course of the season, becoming the most targeted receiver on the field while leading the receiving corps in catches, yards and touchdowns.
“I feel great about being his go-to guy but like I said everyone on the field is capable of doing what I’m doing,” Boykin said. “For me personally though, I think it’d be great for a receiver around here to have a 1,000 receiving-yard season so that’s a goal that I have.”
Although it is extremely unlikely for Boykin to reach his goal this season, the sophomore is anticipating a big game on Saturday as he and the other Tech receivers will be defended by a Wolfpack secondary that will feature three freshmen.
“That’s something we’re going to try to take advantage of,” Boykin said of the opposition’s inexperience. “We wouldn’t mind having another field day.”
Offensively, the Wolfpack is led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson who is currently third in the nation with 26 touchdown passes and 24th in the nation in quarterback rating with a 143.9, which is also good for third best in the conference.
“He’s quite a player,” Beamer said. “He’s an accurate thrower, keeps a lot of plays alive, very much in control. He’s very impressive.”
Saturday’s game will also mark the last time seniors on the Tech team will get the opportunity to play in front of their home crowd. This year’s class includes cornerback Stephan Virgil, offensive tackle Ed Wang, tight end Greg Boone and defensive tackle Cordarrow Thompson.
“They’ve had a good run here and have helped us win a heck of a lot of ballgames,” Beamer said.
“They showed very good leadership this past year,” Taylor said. “Just bringing this team together. This is one of the better teams that I’ve been on in terms of leadership from the seniors.”
Taylor also expressed importance of winning Saturday’s game specifically for the departing players.
“It’s always good to send your seniors out on a winning note,” Taylor said. “Some guys won’t get the chance to play this game again after they leave here.”
The Hokies have also garnered motivation from continuing the streak of 10-win seasons, which is currently on its fifth consecutive season. To accomplish this, Tech must win its two regular season games remaining and its bowl game.
The program has reached the 10-win mark seven of nine times during this decade.
“It means a lot to us because that’s sort of become a tradition around here,” Boykin said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to try to get another season like that. We want to feel good about ourselves in the end.”