UNC Scouting Report: Virginia Tech Hokies
By Ben Coley
Frank Beamer has coached Virginia Tech since 1987. In that span, he has won four ACC titles and five Coastal Division titles. The upcoming match-up between the Tar Heels and Hokies will be Beamer’s last home game as head coach. When teams have subpar seasons, they eagerly search for sources of motivation. Winning for Coach Beamer is more than enough motivation for these players. This may be the Tar Heels’ toughest road game of the season.
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Tall Target
Sophomore receiver Isaiah Ford leads the team in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions. He is the clear number one option for the Hokies. Right behind him is sophomore receiver Cam Phillips – who is second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. But towering over both Ford and Phillips is redshirt sophomore tight end Bucky Hodges. The redshirt sophomore is 6’7’’ and 241 pounds. He has hauled in 27 receptions, 414 yards and five touchdown receptions. He averages 15.3 yards per reception – that’s most on the team and 10th-best in the ACC. His 12 career touchdown catches are tied for third-most by a tight end in ACC history
This week, Hodges was named a semifinalist for the Mackey Award, which is given to the nation’s best tight end. He can get in a stance and help with blocking, but he also can split out wide and catch a slant pass. UNC senior linebackers Shakeel Rashad and Jeff Schoettmer are good players, but they are going to have their hands full trying to contain Hodges.
Shifty Running Back
The Hokies have one clear starting running back – redshirt freshman Travon McMillian. He is just 6’0’’ and 196 pounds, but do not let the size fool you. According to the Hokies’ website, he can bench press 350 pounds and squat 400 pounds. McMillian sounds like the type of running back who can run at you and also run around you. He leads the Hokies with 800 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The next closest rusher is Brenden Motley, who started at quarterback early in the season in replacement of Michael Brewer.
The story for UNC’s defense has remained consistent all season – strong secondary but weak rush defense. And McMillian won’t make it easy on the Tar Heels. Don’t be surprised to see McMillian eclipse 100 yards on Saturday. The Tar Heels have yet to prove they can stop a decent running back.
Stable Defense
Despite the Hokies’ lackluster record, the defense has been quite solid in 2015. Virginia Tech allows 337 yards per game, which is ranked 22nd in the nation. A huge part of that success is senior linebacker Deon Clarke. The senior has notched nine tackles for loss, 61 tackles and three sacks – Clarke ranks in the top-2 in each category for the Hokies.
Right there with him is redshirt sophomore linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka. This linebacker has seven tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles. Both are outperforming redshirt senior defensive end Dadi Nicolas, who was picked for the All-ACC Preseason Team. With all that said, UNC is the best offense that Virginia Tech will face all season. Barring an extraordinary performance for Coach Beamer, I don’t believe the Hokies defense can contain the Tar Heel offense.