J.R. Collins And Deon Clarke To Miss Duke Game

According to this tweet from Mike Stancik and John Iezzi, Tech will be without the services of starting defensive end J.R. Collins and backup linebacker Deon Clarke due to a violation of team rules:

Expect the #Hokies to be without one of their top pass-rushers in J.R. Collins today, as well as LB Deon Clarke. (violation of team rules)

— Mike Stancik (@SportsByMooch) October 26, 2013

I've been told JR Collins won't be playing today.

— John Iezzi (@john_iezzi247) October 26, 2013

Collins, whose Tech career was previously mired by a lack of effort and disciplinary problems, was having a tremendous senior campaign after re-dedicating himself in the off-season. The Tech coaching staff had done an about face on him with the media, praising him for his efforts in turning it around. While this isn't out of left field given his checkered past on the team, it is certainly surprising given what has been said as of late.

As for Clarke, he's still only a redshirt-freshman, but this is troubling news. Hopefully he learns his lesson for whatever he did. As always, we probably will never know what indiscretions these two committed, as violation of team rules is essentially coachspeak for "not gonna happen."

In seven games this season, all starts, Collins has racked up 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks and 19 quarterback hurries. He has also added a forced fumble for good measure. Clarke, who redshirted due to injury despite playing in three games last year, has played in all seven games, collecting 9 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss and a quarterback hurry.

For more on this situation during and perhaps long after the game should this be a multiple-game ordeal, trust Gobbler Country to bring it all to you.