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| UVa RB Perry Jones virginiasports.com |
QB Michael Rocco - As I have mentioned before, he has really developed ever since he has taken complete control of the offense. The interceptions are down and the touchdowns are up. His poise in the pocket has been impressive for a true sophomore who only had a few meaningless snaps last year. Season stats: 180 for 298 (60.4 percent), 2148 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs
RB Perry Jones - He's been a workhorse all year. He's ran the ball, caught the ball, returned a few punts, even passed the ball (one completion for a TD vs. Miami). If he has a good game, chances are the offense has had success. Season stats: 170 carries for 870 yards (5.1 yards per carry), 5 rushing TDs; 41 catches, 416 yards, 4 receiving TDs
WR Tim Smith - Smith is only the third leading receiver on the team with 31 catches (Kris Burd is first with 53) but he is the Wahoos' deep threat and has three touchdowns. Burd is more of a possession guy and gets catches underneath coverages and helps moves the chains. Burd will likely get his catches but at the end of the day, you might be able to tell if UVa or Tech won by Smith's stats. If he catches a few deep balls and gets a TD or two, the Virginia offense can get rolling and the short passing game gets going as well as the run game.
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| UVa DT Matt Conrath virginiasports.com |
DT Matt Conrath - Conrath is one of the many seniors on the defense and is the team's third leading tackler. He is a little undersized at 270 pounds, but he gets good leverage with his 6-foot-7 frame. He's gotten better as the year has progressed and has blown up some running plays in the backfield. If he can get some penetration into the backfield, he could help slow down Tech RB David Wilson. He's also used his length to block three FGs on the year, which could be key if the game comes down to just a few points.
LB Steve Greer - Greer is the team's leading tackler for the third straight season with 94 tackles. He struggled early in the season but has played well in recent games. He is somewhat vulnerable in coverage. Tech QB Logan Thomas likes to run it right up the middle sometimes and Greer, a middle linebacker, will be one of the key players that will need to slow Thomas down.
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| UVa CB Demetrius Nicholson virginiasports.com |
VIRGINIA TECH
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| VT QB Logan Thomas pilotonline.com |
RB David Wilson - He's quick as lightning and the third-leading rusher in the country. However, he has fumbled the ball seven times this season and has lost four of those fumbles. Season stats: 231 carries for 1442 yards (6.2 yards per carry), 7 TDs; 17 catches for 107 yards, 1 receiving TD
WR Jarrett Boykin - Known for his enormous hands, Boykin leads the team with 50 catches for 629 yards and 4 TDs. He and Coale rank 1 and 2 in career catches at Virginia Tech. If they have big games and continually get behind UVa's defense, it could be a long day for the Hoos.
CB Jayron Hosley - One of the best cornerbacks in the country. He isn't having as good a year as he did last year when he had 9 INTs, but he still has 3 and is dangerous. Rocco will need to watch him and know who he is covering at all times.
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| VT RB David Wilson newsadvance.com |
P Michael Branthover - You might be wondering why I included a punter. Punting has been an issue for the Hokies all year. Two punters have punted over 20 times, with Branthover recording 25 and Scott Demler tallying 23. Even Coale has two punts. Punting is one of those aspects of the game no one pays attention to until it affects the outcome of the game. Punting can be key to field position and if the Hokies struggle to punt well, the Cavaliers offense can be set up with good field position and might have an easier time scoring against Tech's vaunted defense.
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