Rutgers football game week opponent profile: Virginia Tech
The Rutgers football team will take on an old Big East foe when it faces off against Virginia Tech tomorrow afternoon. The Scarlet Knights (2-0, 1-0) will be looking to win their third straight game after comfortably defeating Temple last week. The game against the Hokies (1-1, 0-0) will be a scarlet-out.
The Daily Targum sat down with Sam Mostow, a sports editor for The Collegiate Times at Virginia Tech, to talk more about Saturday's matchup.
Virginia Tech is coming into the game with a laundry list of injuries plaguing its roster.
The Hokies most impactful injury may be with wide receiver Ali Jennings, who suffered an apparent lower leg injury against Purdue last weekend and was ruled out for the game against Rutgers.
Jennings had a stellar 2022 campaign at Old Dominion, racking up 959 receiving yards on 54 catches and scoring nine touchdowns.
In Jennings' absence, Virginia Tech may look toward the ground game and running back Bhayshul Tuten to gain yards.
"Tuten has played alright in the last two games," Mostow said. "He's a transfer, and most of our skilled-position players are transfers as they are trying to rebuild the program."
Tuten, who transferred from North Carolina A&T, ran for 1,363 yards on 208 carries and scored 13 touchdowns last year.
The Hokies will look to their offensive line and Tuten to increase their rushing total from the measly 11 total rush yards they had in last week's game.
Quarterback Kyron Drones could potentially get involved with the run games as well. Drones is a mobile quarterback and got in on the final drive of the game after starting quarterback Grant Wells got injured. Wells is questionable for Virginia Tech's game against the Knights.
"Drones is more of a running-focused quarterback, and it will be interesting to see if (the team) can get the run system going," Mostow said.
The Hokies strength lies on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland and cornerback Mansoor Delane are two names to watch out for.
"I would look out for (Delane)," Mostow said. He's played pretty well. He was on the ACC all-freshman team last year."
Delane registered 38 total tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception last year. Powell-Ryland has started the season strong, as he has already recorded 10 total tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble this year.
Rutgers will face off against Virginia Tech at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, WFAN and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
"I think Rutgers wins the game, but it will not be that much of a blowout," Mostow said.
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