Rutgers football game week opponent profile: Virginia Tech
On Saturday, the Rutgers football team will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, to face off against Virginia Tech. The Scarlet Knights (2-0, 0-0) are coming off their first bye week of the season and are looking to continue their early success.
The Hokies (2-1, 0-0) are coming off a dominant 37-17 victory over Old Dominion University with their minds set on snapping a losing streak versus non-conference power five schools that dates back to 2017.
The Daily Targum sat down with Dylan Tefft, football reporter and sports editor of the Collegiate Times, to preview the matchup with Virginia Tech.
Expectations were high coming into this season for the Hokies. Yet, even after winning two of their first three games, expectations have changed. A week-one loss to Vanderbilt put a stop to hopes of a promising season.
"We had almost every single player return," Tefft said. "This was really supposed to be our year. But now, after a week one loss to (Vanderbilt), Marshall and ODU wins that were wins (but) weren't the most convincing, expectations are definitely different."
Rutgers is facing off against a more explosive offense this week. One major contributor to that attack is running back Bhayshul Tuten, who has rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns in three games this season.
"In the Vanderbilt game, (Tuten) had nine carries for 34 yards, and we lost that game," Tefft said. "And then he had (a) crazy amount of carries the last two weeks, and, of course, we won those games. Just looking at that, it is a very simple stat, but it really goes to show that (if) you get your star guy going, we’re gonna get a win."
Another player to watch is quarterback Kyron Drones, who is mostly known for his ability to throw from the pocket. Against the Monarchs (0-3, 0-0), though, Drones displayed his ground game potential, rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
Defensively, one key to the game for Virginia Tech is stopping the Knights' run game and limiting senior running back Kyle Monangai's impact. This has not come easy for defenses this year, but the Hokies' defensive coordinator, Chris Marve, has plenty of experience stopping the run game, serving as the defensive run game coordinator at Mississippi State in 2019 and for Florida State from 2020-2021.
"You kind of expect (Virginia Tech) to load the box … I think where our defensive strength lies when it comes to stopping the run is certainly on our line rather than our linebackers," Tefft said.
The Hokies, though, have not been so strong against the ground game, letting opponents gallop for 190.3 rushing yards per game through the first three contests. But there is some hope on the interior line for Virginia Tech.
One of their most talented linemen, Tefft believes, is Antwaun Powell-Ryland — the leader of this stout defensive front looking to limit the yards gained on the ground. Powell-Ryland was a force last year for the Virginia Tech defense. He recorded 9.5 sacks, which was the second-best sack total in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and tied for 14th-best across the nation.
In the secondary, the Hokies will send out Mansoor Delane, who already boasts two interceptions and five passes defended in 2024.
As far as a prediction goes, "I think it'll be kind of a defensive battle, but … ultimately Virginia Tech has shown me nothing to prove that Monangai won't go crazy. So, I'm going to say Rutgers 27 to 20. Rutgers is going to win," Tefft said.
Virginia Tech will test Rutgers on both sides of the ball as the Knights look to keep their perfect record intact. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m., with the game broadcast on 88.7 WRSU-FM and the ACC Network.
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