Hokies hope to extinguish Flames in opener
Ken Ekanem (4) hits Marquise Williams (12) as he throws. The play was ruled an incomplete pass.
Ben Weidlich / Collegiate Times
On Saturday, Virginia Tech will welcome Liberty University to Lane Stadium for its season opener. The match-up will be a game of many firsts for both teams. For starters, it will be the first time Liberty and Virginia Tech have played one another.
Liberty enters 2016 after an up-and-down 2015 season. The Flames started with a win over Delaware State, but finished with a disappointing 6-5 record. It was a step backward from their 9-5 2014 season in which they only lost one conference game.
Virginia Tech also had a disappointing 2015 campaign, going 7-6 including a final win for ex-head coach Frank Beamer in the Independence Bowl. Now, Virginia Tech football will begin a new era under Justin Fuente. Saturday will be the former Memphis head coach’s first game in Lane Stadium. Fuente brings along his well-known, up-tempo offense and hopes Bud Foster’s defense can return to its former glory.
For Liberty, experience is the key. The Flames return 14 senior starters including two offensive linemen, two wide receivers and a safety. One non-senior who is especially important is quarterback Stephon Masha. The true freshman will be taking over for the graduated Josh Woodrum. Woodrum threw for over 2,700 yards last season and 12 touchdowns in Liberty’s pro-style offense. Liberty tends to throw many short passes mixed in with zone-blocked runs. In addition, Masha can be a dual threat. “He can run the ball,” Foster said. “He’s a dynamic kid with the ball in his hands.”
Virginia Tech has struggled with running quarterbacks in the past. Last season, for example, the Hokie defense surrendered 169 yards on the ground to East Carolina University quarterback James Summers. The Hokies will turn to junior linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka to set the tone early on the slant routes and quarterback runs.
Jerod Evans will be the new starting quarterback for Virginia Tech. Evans will be making his first start after transferring from Trinity Valley Community College. Evans’ biggest threat will be Liberty’s senior defensive-end Erwin Dessources. Dessources had 2.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season.
However, Evans is mobile quarterback and, with an experienced offensive line, he should be able to buy himself more time against prolific rushers like Dessources.
If Travon McMillian can run the ball effectively, he will make Evans' job much easier. Sam Rogers will also be a great check-down option and set the offensive tone. Finally, CJ Carroll could prove to be an interesting option at wide receiver for the Hokies because Isaiah Ford, Cam Phillips and Bucky Hodges should be drawing the top defenders.
This is Liberty’s first game against Virginia Tech, and it will no doubt be looking to spoil Fuente’s debut and maybe the Hokies’ season.