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Duke-Virginia Tech Preview

Oct 19, 2010 - 9:07 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Duke (1-5) at No. 25 Virginia Tech (5-2), 12:00 p.m. EDT

Back in the top 25 for the first time since opening 0-2, Virginia Tech wants to keep looking ahead. Facing slumping Duke could help the 23rd-ranked Hokies extend their surge.

Continuing its four-game stretch in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech tries to win six straight for the first time in four seasons on Saturday and post its 10th consecutive victory over the Blue Devils.

Since any talk of a Virginia Tech national championship ended following season-opening losses to then-No. 3 Boise State and James Madison of the Football Championship Subdivision, the Hokies (5-2, 3-0 ACC) have averaged 41.2 points while winning by 21.4 per game.

Virginia Tech rolled up a season-best 605 total yards and scored touchdowns on seven of its first eight possessions in last Saturday's 52-21 victory over Wake Forest.

"They're hitting their stride and really playing good football now," Demon Deacons coach Jim Grobe said.

Senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been the catalyst during the Hokies' winning streak, throwing nine TD passes and rushing for three more. Taylor tossed a career-high three TDs and ran for a score Saturday as Virginia Tech scored 49 first-half points.

"It was good to start the game the way we did," he said. "We haven't been getting off to good starts and I've been telling the guys that we needed to start the game early from play one and get on top of them. That's what we did today."

Taylor, though, had to leave in the first quarter after getting hit and also hurt his wrist in the second half. He will likely play as the Hokies try to win six in a row for the first time since Oct. 21-Nov. 25, 2006.

"I think any time your quarterback's getting hit, you're concerned," said coach Frank Beamer, who is one win shy of moving past Bo Schembechler into 10th place all-time in Football Bowl Subdivision coaching victories with 235.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe has plenty of concerns about his quarterback situation. Sean Renfree will likely get the start Saturday, but the sophomore has been intercepted 14 times during the Blue Devils' five-game losing streak. Renfree went 18 for 38 for 157 yards and five interceptions in last Saturday's 28-13 defeat to visiting Miami. He also lost a fumble on a botched snap.

If Renfree struggles again, freshman Brandon Connette, who had a one-yard rushing TD against the Hurricanes, could see extended minutes under center.

While the Blue Devils (1-5, 0-3) have the conference's second-worst rushing attack with 121.8 yards per game, they possess one of the most dynamic wide receiving corps with Conner Vernon (37), Donovan Varner (35) and Austin Kelly (31) all in the top six in receptions in the ACC.

Taylor has his own talented trio to throw to with juniors Dyrell Roberts, Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin. Roberts posted career highs with six catches and 134 yards against Wake Forest, while Coale caught five passes for a season-best 103 yards.

Boykin, who leads the team with 29 catches, 469 receiving yards and five TDs, is one reception shy of becoming the ninth player in program history with 100.

Boykin had 144 yards and a TD in a 34-26 victory at Duke on Oct. 3, 2009.

Sophomore Ryan Williams, who led the Hokies with 83 rushing yards in that win, could return after suffering an hamstring injury against East Carolina on Sept. 18.

If Williams remains sidelined, junior Darren Evans, who has eight TDs since Williams was injured, could get plenty of touches against a Blue Devils rush defense ranked 110th in the FBS with 210.8 yards per game allowed.

Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 10-7.