No. 23 Virginia Tech looks to rebound against surprising BC
By The Associated Press - Oct. 15, 2020 01:58 PM EDT
North Carolina linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, behind, tries to take down Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Robert Willett
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Boston College (3-1, 2-1 ACC) at No. 23 Virginia Tech (2-1, 2-1), Saturday at 8 p.m. (ACC Network).

Line: Virginia Tech by 12.

Series record: Virginia Tech leads 18-10.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The Hokies are looking to bounce back from a defensive disaster at No. 5 North Carolina in which they gave up 399 rushing yards, 656 yards overall and lost 56-45. Boston College is trying to continue a surprising start under first-year coach Jeff Hafley.

KEY MATCHUP

Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec against Virginia Tech's pass defense. Hokies coach Justin Fuente said a secondary depleted by 15 players being unavailable because of coronavirus-related issues left them vulnerable, and exhausted. How many return, and their conditioning level after being sidelined, could play a big role in whether Jurkovec can continue his ACC-best average of throwing for nearly 300 yards and two TDs per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BC: WR Zay Flowers. He's not the Eagles' leading receiver, but their most productive with four touchdown grabs already among his 21 catches for 405 yards, seventh nationally.

Virginia Tech: RB Khalil Herbert. A graduate transfer from Kansas, he leads the ACC in rushing (149.7 ypg) and all-purpose yards (246.3) and already has an 83-yard kickoff return. He could become harder to focus on with dual-threat QB Hendon Hooker working his way back into shape after missing appreciable time in quarantine.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Eagles have won two straight against the Hokies, including a 31-21 victory at Lane Stadium, where they are 5-7 since both joined the ACC in 2004. ... Jurkovec has three 300-yard games and his 1,181 yards and eight TDs through four games are the most by a BC quarterback in his first four games. ... Hafley, the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State last season, saw his team force five turnovers in his first game, a 26-6 victory at Duke. ... The undermanned Hokies trailed 21-0 at UNC, but closed to within 42-37 before running out of steam. ... The Hokies rank third among Power Five teams with an average of 42.7 ppg.

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