Reeling Hokies head to No. 22 Duke
Virginia Tech’s entire prospects for the season changed last Saturday.
The Hokies were riding high, 2-0 with a win over Florida State, ranked No. 13 in the country and expecting another in the win column as they traveled to play Old Dominion.
And then the Monarchs, four-touchdown underdogs, pulled off the stunning 49-35 upset, Tech quarterback Josh Jackson suffered a broken leg and starting defensive end Trevon Hill was dismissed from the team.
That’s a triple-shot of adversity as now-unranked Virginia Tech (2-1, 1-0 ACC) goes on the road for a conference game at No. 22 Duke (4-0).
“The facts are we’re a very inexperienced or young football team that is now having to fight their way through adversity, and they’re going to need help,” coach Justin Fuente said.
The biggest issue is at quarterback, where Jackson was scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday for a fractured left fibula. Jackson is likely out for the season, although Fuente wasn’t putting a timetable on the recovery.
“I feel badly for Josh,” Fuente said. “He’s a competitive, tough young man. He just kind of got landed on wrong on the play, but know he’ll come back better than ever.”
Redshirt junior Ryan Willis will be the new starting quarterback. He threw for 131 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Cunningham, in a relief effort vs. Old Dominion. He also ran for 23 yards.
As for Hill, Virginia Tech announced his dismissal Sunday morning for “not upholding the high standards we have for our student-athletes,” Fuente said in a statement.
Hill, a junior, was a returning starter with 20 career tackles for loss. He had 11 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and a team-high 3.5, through three games this season. He also had three quarterback hurries.
On top of all that, Fuente fumed over his team’s lack of discipline at Old Dominion. The Hokies were flagged for four unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
“It’s inexcusable,” Fuente said. “It’s not uncharacteristic. It’s inexcusable.”
So, yes, things have gotten difficult in a hurry for the Hokies, who have a date with Notre Dame after playing Duke.
“The term ‘brought back down to Earth’ comes to mind, but I’m not sure that’s an accurate depiction,” Fuente said in the Roanoke Times. “I think we have to do a great job as leaders — the coaching staff and our older players of getting our guys back going a little bit.”