PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s the start of three difficult games that will define their season. Panthers at Virginia Tech Saturday at 3:30p on 93.7 The Fan.
Hokies are 3-2 overall and like Pitt 1-0 in the ACC. Virginia Tech’s conference win is an upset against North Carolina. The overall losses are a blown lead last Saturday against number 14 Notre Dame and 27-21 defeat at West Virginia.
The Hokies are one of three teams in the conference holding teams under 200 yards a game passing while only allowing seven touchdowns. Meanwhile, Pitt is averaging 389 yards a game through the air with 20 scores.
“They fly around the ball,” said Pitt center Owen Drexel. “They have a lot of really good athletes. A lot of guys who have more than one move in the pass rush. A lot of guys who can anchor the run game. Really excited to play these guys.”
Defensive back Jermaine Waller leads the ACC by a couple with five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. He also leads in passes defended. Defensive back Chamarri Conner leads the ACC in forced fumbles with three. Sophomore linebacker Alan Tisdale leads in fumbles recovered with two. Linebacker Dax Hollifield leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Hollifield will miss the first half of the game after a targeting call against the Fighting Irish.
“They are hard to score on,” said Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. “That’s a tough place. I haven’t had much success down there. They play really good in red zone. They are one of the best teams in the country on third down. They don’t give up the big play.”
“They just have a good defensive team. They carried on the tradition that Bud (Foster) had.”
“We know they are tough,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “They are well coached. They have great athletes on defense. We have to go out and execute. I trust our offense. I like how we are playing.”
Virginia Tech’s offense is not as dynamic. Thirteenth in the ACC with 24.6 points per game and 13th in total offense.
They do have a couple of receivers, Tre’ Turner 22 receptions, 330 yards, TD and Tayvion Robinson 18 receptions, 218 yards, 2 TD. Turner will also get carries on jet sweeps, 7 rushes for 35 yards this season.
Tailback Raheem Blackshear has four rushing touchdowns and a 3.9 yards-per-carry average. Narduzzi says the Hokies love to run the football. They will try and establish the run, much of that with their most dynamic player-quarterback Braxton Burmeister.
The redshirt junior is a transfer from Oregon and a four-star recruit from California. Burmeister is currently in the top 10 in the ACC in total offense at 226.8 yards per game. The 6’1”, 205-pound, right-hander is 77 of 131 for 830 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions for a 127.8 rating. He leads the team with 283 rushing yards gained.
“He’s a really good runner,” said Pitt safety Erick Hallett. “I think he’s one of the fastest players on their team to be honest. He just gets the ball to his receivers to make plays. I think he’s a really good general. He facilitates their offense really well.”
“He’s a really good quarterback,” said Pitt defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre. “They got a really good team. He can run, he can throw the ball. Trying to keep him in the pocket and get to the quarterback.”
“He’s a guy that loves to play in games,” Narduzzi said. “We know he’s a tough football player. He came back and played and finished that Notre Dame game like a trooper. He will be ready to go.”
“Everyone doing their 1 of 11,” said Pitt defensive assistant coach Archie Collins. “That’s the biggest thing when you are playing a quarterback of his nature. A guy that can throw the ball on you as well as when things break down, he’s not afraid to run. He shows good speed. He has a good arm as well. It will be a challenge for us.”
A typical Virginia Tech team is great on special teams. Frank Beamer would be proud of this group, number one in the conference overall on kick units.
“It's a great challenge for us to go on the road again and play a tough football team,” Narduzzi said. “Justin Fuente has a tough football team, they play hard. They play tough.”
“They got a great team,” Alexandre said. “We have a great team. It’s good competition especially going into their home knowing how their crowd gets. It’s fun playing them.”
“I think this next stretch is very important,” said receiver Jordan Addison. “It’s our ACC play. Every game is going to be competitive. We just focus on this game and take it one game at a time.”
Panthers have one win in Blacksburg since 2002. A second win Saturday at 3:30 on 93.7 The Fan could start the road to a division title.