KEY MATCHUP: Duke’s passing attack vs. Virginia Tech’s defensive backfield. QB Quentin Harris has started two games and helped keep the Blue Devils rolling through the air. Duke quarterbacks haven’t thrown an interception this season. Virginia Tech has seven takeaways this season, including three interceptions. Duke has nine players with multiple catches this season and five players with receiving touchdowns. The Hokies could be tested in the secondary if the dismissal of former starting DE Trevon Hill cuts down the team’s pass rush.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Joe Giles-Harris is one most acclaimed defenders in recent Duke history. His ability to get to ball carriers is impressive and he’ll be looking to build on a season in which he gained national recognition in 2017. “We know what he can do,” coach David Cutcliffe said. “He can be real physical.” One-third of the way through the 2018 regular season, Giles-Harris holds a career tackles number at 8.93 stops per game.
ROSTER REPORT
–C Zach Harmon sat out with an injury in the Baylor and North Carolina Central games. Coach David Cutcliffe said he returned to more involvement in practice early in the week of the Virginia Tech game.
–S Jeremy McDuffie, who has been slow to recover from last fall’s knee surgery, played against North Carolina Central after missing the two previous games.
–DE Chris Rumph II has recorded two sacks in his redshirt freshman season. He leads ACC freshmen in tackles for loss with 3.5.
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