The hangover for the Hokies has all but subsided.
After a 23-3 defeat at the hands of the Clemson Tigers three weekends ago, Virginia Tech has won two straight ACC matchups against Miami and Wake Forest. Now, with Boston College (1-5, 0-3 ACC) coming to town for Tech’s annual Homecoming game, the Hokies will look to continue their winning streak and get off to their best record through eight games since 2005.
The Hokies have won the past three matchups against the Eagles by an average of 24 points, including a 19-0 shutout last year in Chestnut Hill (Tech’s first shutout since 2006). In addition, Tech is 37-7-2 in Homecoming games at Lane Stadium.
However, that doesn’t mean the Hokies are taking their opponent lightly.
“When you look at Boston College I think of toughness, I think of well-coached, I think hard-nosed, competitive,” said Frank Beamer, head coach.
The Hokies will not be seeing Boston College’s all-time leading rusher Montel Harris in the backfield this Saturday. Harris aggravated a chronic knee injury against Wake Forest and will seek a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA in order to play next season.
In addition, Harris’ backup Andre Williams had an ankle injury that kept him out of the Eagles loss against Clemson. Williams had shown flashes prior to the injury and has rushed for 325 yards and three touchdowns on the season. If Williams can’t go, it will be up to sophomore Rolandan Finch, who had 81 yards and a touchdown against Clemson.
“They’re a hard team to beat,” Beamer said. “I found that over the years we played in a lot of big ball games with them and I know them well, I know the people well and that’s exactly what’s coming in here Saturday.”
When the Eagles can’t establish the run there hasn’t been much hope in the passing game this season.
Hokies fans will remember the fourth quarter heroics of Matt Ryan on a soggy Thursday night in Lane Stadium, and like Red Sox fans to Aaron Boone, have likely chosen to nickname Ryan by replacing his middle name with some form of an expletive. However, there hasn’t been much hope for the Eagles at the position since Ryan was drafted third overall by the Falcons in 2008.
Boston College has started six different signal-callers since Ryan left, and none have come close to duplicating his success. In last year’s 19-0 shutout, the Hokies feasted on Dave Shinskie, who completed just 11 of 25 passes for 130 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
This season, quarterback Chase Rettig has taken the reins and been inconsistent at best, completing just 53.4 percent of his passes and throwing six touchdowns with five interceptions. Although, if Rettig can limit his turnovers, he could become the first Boston College quarterback since 2009 to finish with more touchdowns than interceptions in a season.
Despite injuries and inconsistent play, Tech’s defenders still treat Boston College like any other opponent.
A version of this article appeared in the Oct 21 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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