For the first time in nine years, Virginia Tech reached a 4-0 season record, yet that statistic should not deceive. The Hokies survived a monsoon in Chestnut Hill to beat Boston College 21-14, yet the victory was far from clean. Yahoo Sports reported that a Nor’Easter made scoring difficult for both sides, with the Hokies managing only 15 fourth-quarter points. The defense made stops, but the offense looked lost for most of the night. This win was a miracle, not a statement.
The Backfield Finally Has a Star
Sophomore Jeffrey Overton Jr. finally proved he is the real deal. He was outstanding in the final quarter, contributing to multiple chunk plays that kept the team alive. In the fourth quarter by itself, Overton tallied 98 of his total 209 rushing yards. He even broke loose for a massive 76-yard touchdown run with 4:58 remaining to put the Hokies up for good. According to Yahoo Sports, this performance firmly established him as the team’s top running back. Marcellous Hawkins Jr. may still spell him, but Overton is now the clear alpha in the backfield. That is a huge win for a program that has struggled to find consistency.
Offensive Line Woes and Weather Warnings
But the running game still has serious questions that a rainy night against a mediocre front cannot hide. Overton and the line were stellar late, but the attack struggled to get a consistent push up front for most of the game. This isn’t the first time Virginia Tech has failed to run effectively this season. The Hokies could not run well against Maryland or Old Dominion in their previous two games. The passing game saved them then, but the weather was the worst they will face all season. Per Yahoo Sports, the passing attack has proven effective when it is not playing in a monsoon, but the schedule gets much tougher from here.
The situation just got worse with the news that starting left tackle Justin Terry will be out for several weeks due to injury. The good news is that right guard Montavious Cunningham is expected to return against Pittsburgh on Friday after missing the Boston College win. Despite Cunningham’s return, the Hokies must discover a method to increase efficiency when running the football. They cannot lean on the passing game every week to cover up a broken run game. Improvement is needed before anyone can be confident Tech can win in multiple ways.
The Real Test Is Coming to Blacksburg
Virginia Tech survived the Nor’easter, but the real challenge arrives this Friday night. According to Yahoo Sports, the Hokies will host Pitt in an overlooked matchup between two unbeaten teams. James Franklin has an opportunity to sidestep his typical failure in a major situation. If the running game cannot find a groove without Justin Terry, the Panthers will feast. The 4-0 record feels fragile right now. The defense has made significant strides, but offense must step up or the season could stall before October ends.
