Hyattsville, MD – No. 21 Virginia Tech defeated No. 22 West Virginia 31-24 on Sunday night. Josh Jackson threw for 235 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 101 more yards and a score in the shootout victory at FedEx field. The Hokies needed a final defensive stand with the Mountaineers on their doorstep to hold on for the victory. The Hokies face FCS opponent Delaware next week before traveling to East Carolina. The Mountaineers face East Carolina in Morgantown.
A new season of Virginia Tech football means new faces. The Tech coaches haven't shied away from the fact that their offense is young. But the Hokies defense could be a difference maker in this match-up. Josh Jackson will make his first start for the Hokies at quarterback. Running back Travon McMillian and receiver Cam Phillips are basically the only proven and consistent players on offense. Defensively though, the Hokies have many returning play-makers from a year ago. They appear to be much more sound on that side of the ball.
For defensive coordinator Bud Foster, this isn't the first go-round with the Mountaineers. "I have a lot of great memories of some big football games, some important football games. These programs parallel each other in a lot of ways as far as the blue-collar mentality and the toughness of the kids. I've got a lot of respect for this program," Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. "You can't think of Virginia Tech without thinking of Bud Foster is well30th year their defense is good. They've got everybody coming back. I know they've been rumored that this may be his best unit from what I understand, but when you watch them they've got all their guys coming back and they were incredibly good defense last year." says West Virginia Head Coach Dana Holgorsen.
WVU's offense will also be exciting to watch. Quarterback Will Grier is suiting up for the Mountaineers for the first time, after starting for Florida in 2015. Kickoff is set for 7:30 tonight at FedEx field.
