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Virginia Tech Hokies News

For the first time since 1992, Virginia Tech finished the regular season with a losing record and didn’t play in a bowl game. The Hokies were particularly hard hit by covid-19, yet still ended up winning five games in 2020 and coming within a point of defeating Miami that would have kept their winning record streak alive.

Sixth-year head coach Justin Fuentes is reportedly on the hot seat, primarily because the defense cratered following the retirement of long-time coordinator Bud Foster, giving up over 32 points a game and finishing 103rd in the nation in yards allowed. The Hokies have a chance to rebound, with eight defensive veterans returning in coordinator Justin Hamilton’s second season and an opening game against North Carolina will give an early indication of expectations in 2021.

Virginia Tech Hokies Standings

Forest Demon Deacons are a team on the rise in the NCAAF, with a growing reputation for their fast-paced and dynamic style of play. Their stats show a focus on a high-flying aerial attack, utilizing their talented quarterbacks and receivers to stretch the field and keep defenses guessing. With a strong showing so far this season, fans will be keeping an eye on the Demon Deacons’ progress in the standings, as they look to establish themselves as a top team in the NCAAF.

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2020 Summary

I was an up and down season for Virginia Tech in 2020, much of it attributable to Covid-19 protocols, finally finishing with a record 5 – 6 after defeating in-state rival Virginia 33 – 15 to close out the campaign. The defense was terrible, mainly because they couldn’t stay healthy, but there were real bright spots on the offense, including the top rushing game in ACC and the 10th best in the nation.

The Hokies were 4-2 at one point in the season, but a loss to Liberty began a four-game losing streak where they gave up an average of almost 39 points a game. For most Virginia Tech fans, the end of the 2020 season, even with the face-saving win over their archrival, couldn’t come soon enough.

Key Players

With an offensive strategy to run the football, returning running back Jalen Holston could be a big factor after limited action in 2020 when he was able to average 4.7 yards per carry. The Hokies have been known to quickly plug and play at running back, so Holston could have success at replacing Khalil Herbert as the featured back.

Last season, the Hokies had three potential starting quarterbacks on the roster, but Hendon Hooker and Quincy Patterson transferred, leaving Braxton Burmeister as the last man standing. He was reasonably effective in 200 but will need to step up as the starter if Tech is going to battle for the division title.

Chamari Conner led the team in tackles from his nickel back position in a defensive backfield that was limited by Covid protocol-related shortages. The Hokies were 107th in the nation against the pass and will need to make big improvements to avoid a losing season.

Key Additions

Johnny Jordan transferred from Maryland to help add depth to an already experienced offensive line that should enable Virginia Tech to continue their impressive success on the ground.

Clemson transfer Jordan Williams should help bolster the defensive line as the tackle was a standout at Cox High School in Virginia Beach. He’ll team up with Amare Barno, who led the conference with 16 tackles for loss in 2020.

Key Subtractions

Running back Khalil Herbert was sensational in 2020, piling up 1,182 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards a carry. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears.

The Las Vegas Raiders picked up former Hokie safety Divine Diablo in the third round of the draft after leading the team with four interceptions. He was the bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the secondary.

Hendon Hooker was a dual-threat at quarterback, throwing and running for the same number of touchdowns with 9 each while throwing for five interceptions. He presented problems for defenses that Burmeister will be challenged to replicate.

Divisional Outlook

After abandoning the division structure for 2020 and including Notre Dame in the conference, the ACC is back to normal and the Irish are back out on their own. North Carolina and Miami are expected to be at the top of what is traditionally a very balanced ACC Coastal, with Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh possibly posing a challenge.

In most preseason polls, Carolina is near the bottom of the top ten with Miami ranked in the top 15. There isn’t much difference in the two teams’ conference schedules, with neither one having to play Clemson.

Virginia Tech may have the most favorable league slate, picking up Boston College and Syracuse from the Atlantic Division while Pittsburgh will have to take on Clemson. Virginia and Georgia Tech could be spoilers late in the season while Duke is probably in full rebuild mode after going 2 – 9 in 2020.

Virginia Tech Offense

With new starters at quarterback and running back, the Hokies will need to work out the kinks in camp, as they don’t have the benefit of any non-conference contests prior to jumping into conference play. The team seemed to have a letdown in late-season losses to Pittsburgh and Clemson, where they were limited to 24 total points, but the win over Virginia may have been a harbinger of good things to come for 2021.

Burmeister was effective as a starter late in the season, the offensive line should be solid, and although Holston is a new starter at running back, he has some experience at the position. The receiving corps brings back its top three receivers, so there is plenty of reason for optimism heading into the season.

Virginia Tech Defense

The numbers were bad in 2020, but the Hokies defense was hit as hard by Covid as any unit in the conference. They were also breaking in a new coordinator after the retirement of the legendary Bud Foster, who was widely respected as one of the best in the country.

With eight former starters back, some in new positions, and a couple of transfers ready to step in, coordinator Hamilton should be able to get improved performance out of the defense. A healthy secondary and a better pass rush will give the team an opportunity to limit the big plays that haunted them in 2020.

2020 Summary

I was an up and down season for Virginia Tech in 2020, much of it attributable to Covid-19 protocols, finally finishing with a record 5 – 6 after defeating in-state rival Virginia 33 – 15 to close out the campaign. The defense was terrible, mainly because they couldn’t stay healthy, but there were real bright spots on the offense, including the top rushing game in ACC and the 10th best in the nation.

The Hokies were 4-2 at one point in the season, but a loss to Liberty began a four-game losing streak where they gave up an average of almost 39 points a game. For most Virginia Tech fans, the end of the 2020 season, even with the face-saving win over their archrival, couldn’t come soon enough.

Key Players

With an offensive strategy to run the football, returning running back Jalen Holston could be a big factor after limited action in 2020 when he was able to average 4.7 yards per carry. The Hokies have been known to quickly plug and play at running back, so Holston could have success at replacing Khalil Herbert as the featured back.

Last season, the Hokies had three potential starting quarterbacks on the roster, but Hendon Hooker and Quincy Patterson transferred, leaving Braxton Burmeister as the last man standing. He was reasonably effective in 200 but will need to step up as the starter if Tech is going to battle for the division title.

Chamari Conner led the team in tackles from his nickel back position in a defensive backfield that was limited by Covid protocol-related shortages. The Hokies were 107th in the nation against the pass and will need to make big improvements to avoid a losing season.

Key Additions

Johnny Jordan transferred from Maryland to help add depth to an already experienced offensive line that should enable Virginia Tech to continue their impressive success on the ground.

Clemson transfer Jordan Williams should help bolster the defensive line as the tackle was a standout at Cox High School in Virginia Beach. He’ll team up with Amare Barno, who led the conference with 16 tackles for loss in 2020.

Key Subtractions

Running back Khalil Herbert was sensational in 2020, piling up 1,182 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards a carry. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears.

The Las Vegas Raiders picked up former Hokie safety Divine Diablo in the third round of the draft after leading the team with four interceptions. He was the bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the secondary.

Hendon Hooker was a dual-threat at quarterback, throwing and running for the same number of touchdowns with 9 each while throwing for five interceptions. He presented problems for defenses that Burmeister will be challenged to replicate.

Divisional Outlook

After abandoning the division structure for 2020 and including Notre Dame in the conference, the ACC is back to normal and the Irish are back out on their own. North Carolina and Miami are expected to be at the top of what is traditionally a very balanced ACC Coastal, with Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh possibly posing a challenge.

In most preseason polls, Carolina is near the bottom of the top ten with Miami ranked in the top 15. There isn’t much difference in the two teams’ conference schedules, with neither one having to play Clemson.

Virginia Tech may have the most favorable league slate, picking up Boston College and Syracuse from the Atlantic Division while Pittsburgh will have to take on Clemson. Virginia and Georgia Tech could be spoilers late in the season while Duke is probably in full rebuild mode after going 2 – 9 in 2020.

Virginia Tech Offense

With new starters at quarterback and running back, the Hokies will need to work out the kinks in camp, as they don’t have the benefit of any non-conference contests prior to jumping into conference play. The team seemed to have a letdown in late-season losses to Pittsburgh and Clemson, where they were limited to 24 total points, but the win over Virginia may have been a harbinger of good things to come for 2021.

Burmeister was effective as a starter late in the season, the offensive line should be solid, and although Holston is a new starter at running back, he has some experience at the position. The receiving corps brings back its top three receivers, so there is plenty of reason for optimism heading into the season.

Virginia Tech Defense

The numbers were bad in 2020, but the Hokies defense was hit as hard by Covid as any unit in the conference. They were also breaking in a new coordinator after the retirement of the legendary Bud Foster, who was widely respected as one of the best in the country.

With eight former starters back, some in new positions, and a couple of transfers ready to step in, coordinator Hamilton should be able to get improved performance out of the defense. A healthy secondary and a better pass rush will give the team an opportunity to limit the big plays that haunted them in 2020.


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Virginia Tech Hokies FAQ’s

How many national championships has Virginia Tech won?

None, but they played for the BCS title in 1999, losing to Florida State.

When did Virginia Tech join the ACC?

2004

How many ACC championships has Virginia Tech won?

Four, with the last one coming in 2010.

What is Virginia Tech’s all-time record?

722-466-44

Who is the winningest coach in Virginia Tech history?

Frank Beamer won 280 games from 1987 to 2015

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