Virginia Tech will face a very potent FCS opponent on Saturday when they host the Furman Paladins inside Lane Stadium. The Hokies, who are currently three touchdown favorites at home, cannot sleepwalk through this contest but it is tough to see the Paladins keep up with the Hokies for all four quarters.
Virginia Tech has yet to play to their potential this fall – from mental mistakes, turnovers, and a lack of run game – and they don’t have the opportunity to overlook anyone on the schedule. In order for Virginia Tech to handle Furman comfortably, they will need to focus on a few key areas on Saturday afternoon, beginning with Keshawn King, Deshawn McClease, and the running backs.
Virginia Tech’s Run Game
Can Virginia Tech take advantage of an FCS opponent to jumpstart their run game this weekend? Virginia Tech is one of the worst teams in the country (No. 107) when it comes to their rushing attack, averaging just 2.83-yards per attempt on the ground. Fortunately for Virginia Tech, Furman is in the back half of the FCS when it comes to stopping the rush (No. 73), giving up an average of 4.99-yards per attempt on the ground. In Furman’s season-opening win over Charleston Southern, the Paladins defense gave up 4.7-yards per attempt and two touchdowns. In the loss to Georgia State, they gave up 5.2-yards per carry. Senior hybrid linebacker/safety Jordan Willis leads Furman with 20 tackles through two games.
Virginia Tech running back duo of Deshawn McClease and Keshawn King should get the bulk of the carries and the Hokies look to gain confidence on the ground as they prepare for ACC play.
The run game doesn’t just revolve around the running backs. Quarterback Ryan Willis has to put his running backs in good position to make plays while the offensive line has to open the holes, both of which should be a point of emphasis this weekend.
Bud Foster’s Achilles Heel
During his tenure at Virginia Tech, defensive coordinator Bud Foster has always shown two weaknesses: mobile quarterbacks and the triple option. This weekend, he will face both. While Furman doesn’t run a full triple option – flashbacks to Georgia Tech – they do implement the scheme into their multiple offense. The key for Furman all starts in the hands of redshirt freshman quarterback Darren Grainger, who had an explosive contest last week against Georgia State. He was named the FCS National Freshman of the week and the Southern Conference Player of the Week after throwing for 311-yards and rushing for 53, totaling over 360-yards of total offense.
Virginia Tech has already shown a weakness this fall for mobile quarterbacks, giving up long runs and touchdowns to both Anthony Brown of Boston College and Stone Smartt of Old Dominion. Furman’s offense runs through the hands of Grainger, who appears to be more athletic than both Brown and Smartt. Virginia Tech will have to own the line of scrimmage and play fundamental football as the Paladins will look to stretch the field horizontally with various run plays to the outside and sprinkle in some triple option to keep things interesting.
Take Advantage of the Mismatches
Furman’s pass defense does not scare anyone. Through two games this fall, the Paladins have given up over 450-yards through the air with an average reception going for 13.67-yards. Redshirt senior cornerback Quandarius Weems is expected back after missing last weeks contest, which could help the Paladins defensive back unit, but Virginia Tech will have mismatches across the field when they have the ball.
Former Clemson transfer Amir Trapp is the focal point of Furman’s secondary, but at 5-foot 8-inches, he will have a tough time covering Virginia Tech’s taller wide receiver corps. Furman gave up 362-yards passing to Georgia State last weekend and five touchdown, three of which were over 20-yards. Ryan Willis has already showcased a big arm on a few occasions this season and Saturday should provide an opportunity for several big plays in the passing game.
Fly to the Football
Furman won’t look like they have much of an offensive identity, but that seems to be on purpose. Expect to see them use multiple offensive schemes throughout the contest to try and take advantage of Virginia Tech’s defense. One of the staples of Furman’s offense will be attacking the perimeter through various schemes. Devin Wynn, a junior running back, rushed for over 100-yards in the season opener against Charleston Southern, adding another 83-yards on the ground against Georgia State last weekend. Dating back to last season, Wynn has scored six touchdowns in his las seven games and is currently averaging 8.6-yards per rush on the season.
For Virginia Tech’s defense, the key will be playing fast and flying to the football. Furman will try and use misdirection in their run game, so Virginia Tech will need to play smart. Virginia Tech has more athletes on defense than Furman has on offense, but the Hokies have to show an ability to get off blocks and get to the ball carrier to slow down Furman’s run game.
Slow Down Gordon
Furman wide receiver Thomas Gordon put on a show last weekend recording eight receptions for 163-yards. He is the primary target for Grainger with 13 receptions on the season. Gordon currently averages over 100-yards receiving per game.
At 6-foot, 178-pounds, Gordon won’t be a mismatch for any Virginia Tech defensive backs, but he is a talented wide receiver that will get plenty of targets in the contest. Furman likes to line him up in various positions, putting him outside, in the slot, and sometimes in the backfield to get the matchups that they want. Gordon isn’t the type of receiver to go down easy and is slippery in open space, so Virginia Tech’s cornerbacks will need to play tight coverage and wrap up when trying to tackle him, throwing an arm or a shoulder won’t work.