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Virginia Tech Football: What To Expect vs. East Carolina

Statistical breakdown and preview of Saturdays game against the East Carolina Pirates.

Grant Halverson

Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) vs. East Carolina Pirates (1-1)

Virginia Tech Offense vs. ECU Defense
  • Defensively, ECU primarily runs a 3-4 defensive scheme.
  • ECU is currently 37th in the nation in yards per game, allowing an average of 307.5 They are allowing 20 points per game on defense, good for 51st in the country.
  • ECU is 53rd in the nation in run defense, allowing 122.5 yards per game on the ground. The Pirates are allowing 185 yards per game through the air, ranking 40th overall.
  • Virginia Tech ranks 83rd nationally in total offense with 404 yards per game this season.
  • The Hokies are rushing for an average of 171.5 yards per game, 70th nationally.
  • Virginia Tech is also 70th in passing offense, with 232.5 passing yards per game.
  • The Hokies have scored an average of 34.5 points per game in 2014, tied for 58th overall in the country.
  • Virginia Tech Defense vs. ECU Offense
    • The Pirates run an up-tempo, spread offense.
    • ECU is 25th in the nation in yards per game, currently at 517.5 this season. They are scoring 37.5 points per game, good for a ranking of 47th.
    • The Pirates have thrown for an average of 347.5 yards per game, placing them at 15th in passing offense.
    • On the ground ECU is ranked 71st nationally with 170 yards per game in 2014.
    • Led by quarterback Shane Carden, the Pirates rely heavily on their passing game to carry the teams offense.
    • Five ECU receivers are averaging double digits in yards per catch this season. Trevon Brown, Cam Worthy and Jimmy Williams are averaging 14.67 or more yards per catch after two games.
  • Defensively, Virginia Tech is allowing 260 yards per game, 13th in the nation. They rank 27th overall in scoring defense, surrendering 15 points per game.
  • The Hokies have a rushing defense ranking of 26th, allowing 92 ground yards per game this season.
  • The pass defense for Virginia Tech is sitting at 32nd nationally with 168 yards against.
  • Watch the Box Score

    • Turnovers
    • Total Rushing for Virginia Tech
    • Passing yards for Shane Carden
    • Yards per catch for ECU

    Virginia Tech Players to Watch

    • Michael Brewer
    • Shai McKenzie
    • Kendall Fuller
    • Kyshoen Jarrett

    ECU Players to Watch

    • Shane Carden - Sr. QB (6-2, 221, Houston, TX; Episcopal)
    • Zeek Bigger - Jr. ILB (6-2, 228, Gastonia, NC; Ashbrook)
    • Justin Hardy - Sr. WR (6-0, 188, Vanceboro, NC; West Craven)
    • Isaiah Jones - So. WR (6-1, 186, Austin, TX; Stephen F. Austin)

    Final Score

    Virginia Tech 34 ECU 17

    The Hokies will want to avoid getting into an arms race with the pass happy Pirates and quarterback Shane Carden. The Hokies will continue to use a McKenzie/Williams rushing combination, a wide variety of receiving targets and a strong defensive effort to pull away in the second half of this one.