Sally Bull/SPPSDemetrius Taylor, 56, is mobbed by Tarheel players
In this team's first-ever meeting with the Hilltoppers, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and the Hokies will look to build on their four-game winning streak against a team that lost to Kentucky last week by 38 points.
Beamer made it clear, however, that while Western Kentucky may be seen as an easy-win, no team is to be taken lightly.
"Somebody said, 'Well, you're a 28-point favorite,'" Beamer said. "But so was Southern Cal over Oregon State. Wake Forest at this time last week probably felt good."
Wake Forest, ranked No. 16 at the time, ended up losing at home to Navy, 24-17.
While Western Kentucky has started out just 2-3, it's had tough competition.
"They played Alabama, Indiana and Kentucky, and they battle," Beamer said. "I think their defense is feisty; they do a lot of things and they battle."
The Hokies come into the game at 4-1, breaking back into the polls this week ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press poll. Since their opening day loss against East Carolina, the Hokies have made noticeable improvements week in and week out.
Last week against Nebraska, the Hokies faced an unexpectedly high scoring game, in which the offense was called upon to score points instead of playing conservatively and letting the defense and special teams take care of the rest.
Tyrod Taylor and his offense answered that call by out-rushing the Huskers 206-55, while scoring three touchdowns on the ground.
Redshirt freshman Darren Evans ground out 72 of those yards, scoring twice, while Taylor rushed for 87 yards and ran in the game-clinching touchdown with just 2:28 left on the clock.
Recently Taylor has seemed cooler under pressure and has made the types of decisions the Hokies need from their starting quarterback.
"If I had to say one thing -- he's just a little bit more comfortable with us," redshirt freshman receiver Danny Coale said. "The more comfortable you are, the better you're able to show your abilities."
Coale also mentioned the fact that success on one side of the offense will inevitably help the other side as well.
"I think that it's no hidden secret that a good run offense helps a good pass offense, and vice versa," Coale said. "So, I think any time you have Tyrod back there being able to hit a lot of targets, it will help the offense as a whole."
Beamer concurred.
"I think Tyrod continues to improve. I think the better our blocking is up front, the better our running is, the better our passing game will be," Beamer said.
The passing offense did its part last week -- going for 171 yards with no turnovers, lifting Taylor's record to 8-0 as a Tech starter.
Freshman wide out Jarrett Boykin led the receiving corps with two receptions for 58 yards and, at times, reminded Beamer of a young Josh Morgan.
"He kind of runs a little bit like him and he's got a strong body," he said. "I think he's doing real well."
The focus against the Hilltoppers will be to improve in all facets of the game.
"I think this is a week that we see if we're right or not," Beamer said. "The important thing to us is to continue to improve. I think that's a critical thing this week."
Western Kentucky will look to halt improvements with a different look on the defensive side of the ball.
The Hilltoppers use a 3-4 defense, which is something the Hokies rarely see.
The 3-4 is based on having three defensive linemen instead of four, while using an extra linebacker.
The Hokies offensive line will have to adjust accordingly.
"With a 3-4, it just changes your blocking scheme a little bit," said redshirt senior guard Nick Marshman.
Marshman added that this isn't the first time the Hokies have had to adjust, with Furman using some of the package earlier this year and conference opponent Duke using it in the past.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Hilltoppers will try to establish their running game early.
Last week against Kentucky, freshman tailback Bobby Rainey broke out with 99 yards on nine carries against the best scoring defense in the nation.
However, it won't be an easy feat to repeat against a stern Hokie defense on Homecoming weekend.
When the Hokies take the field on Saturday, they will look to maintain the intensity they've shown throughout the season.
"I think we've really been good about great effort in every ball game," Beamer said. "It doesn't matter what Saturday it is or what time you're playing. You've just got to play the same way."
Last week, Tech played in front of a hostile Nebraska crowd of more than 80,000 people. This week, the Hokies will be more than ready to play in front of a crowd on their side at Lane Stadium.
Redshirt junior Dorian Porch, who will now start at the rover position in place of the injured Davon Morgan, is glad to be back home.
"The stadium was pretty big (at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.), and there was a lot of people there and it got real loud," Porch said.
"But," he said, "I've never played anywhere like Lane Stadium. The fans here -- you can't beat that."
Redshirt senior defensive end Orion Martin echoed those thoughts.
"It's great to be home; we're looking forward to being back here. It's going to be homecoming and it's going to be a crazy atmosphere. Going on the road and winning -- that's great. But there's no place like home."
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