2020 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

Last updated

2020 Virginia Tech Hokies football
Virginia Tech Hokies logo.svg
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
Record5–6 (5–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen (5th season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Lane Stadium
Uniform
Virginia tech football unif.png
Seasons
  2019
2021  
2020 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 5 Notre Dame y^  9 0   10 2  
No. 3 Clemson y$^  8 1   10 2  
No. 22 Miami (FL)  7 2   8 3  
No. 18 North Carolina  7 3   8 4  
NC State  7 3   8 4  
Boston College  5 5   6 5  
Pittsburgh  5 5   6 5  
Virginia Tech  5 5   5 6  
Virginia  4 5   5 5  
Wake Forest  3 4   4 5  
Georgia Tech  3 6   3 7  
Louisville  3 7   4 7  
Florida State  2 6   3 6  
Duke  1 9   2 9  
Syracuse  1 9   1 10  
Championship: Clemson 34, Notre Dame 10
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Tech during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hokies were led by fifth-year head coach Justin Fuente and played their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, competing as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Contents

After completing their regular season with a 5–6 record (5–5 in ACC play), the program announced on December 16 that players had voted to end their season and would not consider a bid to a bowl game. [1] The Hokies had appeared in a bowl game for 27 consecutive seasons, dating back to the 1993 Independence Bowl. [1] This was fourth-longest streak of consecutive bowl game appearances in college football history. [2]

Coaching staff

Virginia Tech Hokies coaches
NameTitleJoined staff
Justin Fuente Head coach 2016
Brad Cornelsen Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 2016
Vance Vice Offensive line coach2016
Jafar Williams Wide receivers coach2019
Adam Lechtenberg Running back coach2017
Justin Hamilton Defensive coordinator/Safeties coach2018
Tracy Claeys Linebackers coach2020
Bill Teerlinck Defensive line coach 2020
Darryl Tapp Co-Defensive line coach 2020
James Shibest Special teams coordinator/Tight end coach2016
Ryan Smith Cornerbacks coach2020
Ben HilgartStrength and conditioning2016
Reference: [3]

Schedule

Virginia Tech had games scheduled against Liberty, Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, and Penn State, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] [5]

The ACC released their schedule on July 29, with specific dates selected at a later date. [4]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 268:00 p.m. NC State No. 20 ACCN W 45–241,000
October 34:00 p.m.at Duke ACCNW 38–31 0
October 1012:00 p.m.at No. 8 North Carolina No. 19 ABC L 45–563,535
October 178:00 p.m. Boston College No. 23
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA (rivalry)
ACCNW 40–141,000
October 243:30 p.m.at Wake Forest No. 19 ACCRSN L 16–232,135
October 314:00 p.m.at Louisville ACCNW 42–3511,901
November 712:00 p.m.No. 25 Liberty *
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
ACCNL 35–381,000
November 1412:00 p.m.No. 9 Miami (FL)
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA (rivalry)
ESPN L 24–251,000
November 214:00 p.m.at Pittsburgh ACCNL 14–474,612
December 57:30 p.m.No. 3 Clemson
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
ABC L 10–45250
December 128:00 p.m. Virginia
ACCNW 33–15250
Schedule Source: [6] [7]

Game summaries

NC State

NC State at Virginia Tech
1234Total
Wolfpack0107724
No. 20 Hokies17146845
        
Over/underPregame line
VT −656.5 [8]
StatisticsNC StateVirginia Tech
First downs1922
Total yards386495
Rushing yards139314
Passing yards247181
Turnovers20
Time of possession30:5529:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NC StatePassing Devin Leary 12/16, 165 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Zonovan Knight 14 carries, 94 yards
ReceivingDevin Carter4 receptions, 79 yards
Virginia TechPassingBraxton Burmeister7/11, 106 yards
Rushing Khalil Herbert 6 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD
Receiving James Mitchell 3 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD

At Duke

Virginia Tech at Duke
1234Total
Hokies73141438
Blue Devils7071731
       
Over/underPregame line
VT −1154 [9]
StatisticsVirginia TechDuke
First downs2519
Total yards487410
Rushing yards324139
Passing yards163271
Turnovers31
Time of possession34:0425:56
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Virginia TechPassingBraxton Burmeister9/25, 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingKhalil Herbert20 carries, 208 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Tayvion Robinson 2 receptions, 85 yards
DukePassing Chase Brice 22/39, 271 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Mataeo Durant 11 carries, 86 yards
ReceivingJarett Garner3 receptions, 84 yards

At North Carolina

Virginia Tech at North Carolina
1234Total
No. 19 Hokies01423845
No. 8 Tar Heels211471456
           
Over/underPregame line
UNC −3.059 [10]
StatisticsVirginia TechNorth Carolina
First downs2531
Total yards495656
Rushing yards260399
Passing yards235257
Turnovers00
Time of possession32:0627:54
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Virginia TechPassing Hendon Hooker 7/13, 136 yards, 2 TDs
RushingKhalil Herbert18 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingJames Mitchell4 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD
North CarolinaPassing Sam Howell 18/23, 257 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Michael Carter 17 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Dyami Brown 3 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TDs

Boston College

Boston College at Virginia Tech
1234Total
Eagles077014
No. 23 Hokies314101340
  • Date: October 17, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 8:05 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: NW 5 MPH
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Dave O'Brian (play-by-play), Tim Hasselbeck (analyst), Katie George (sideline reporter)
     
Over/underPregame line
VT −12.562
StatisticsBoston CollegeVirginia Tech
First downs 24 23
Total yards 435 461
Rushing yards 90 350
Passing yards 345 111
Turnovers 5 0
Time of possession 29:12 30:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Boston CollegePassing Phil Jurkovec 28/51, 345 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
RushingDavid Bailey10 carries, 41 yards
Receiving Jaelen Gill 6 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD
Virginia TechPassingHendon Hooker11/15, 111 yards, 1 TD
RushingHendon Hooker18 carries, 164 yards, 3 TDs
ReceivingKhalil Herbert1 reception, 29 yards, 1 TD

At Wake Forest

Virginia Tech at Wake Forest
1234Total
No. 19 Hokies0103316
Demon Deacons1073323
  • Date: October 24, 2020
  • Location: Truist Field at Wake Forest
    Winston–Salem, NC
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 9 minutes
  • Game attendance: 2,135
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: W 2 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Evan Lepler (play–by–play), Brian Jordan (analyst), Abby Labar (sideline reporter)
     
Over/underPregame line
VT −10.568.5
StatisticsVirginia TechWake Forest
First downs2817
Total yards433316
Rushing yards210206
Passing yards223110
Turnovers30
Time of possession30:1829:42
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Virginia TechPassingHendon Hooker17/33, 223 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
RushingHendon Hooker17 carries, 98 yards
Receiving Tré Turner 5 receptions, 61 yards
Wake ForestPassing Sam Hartman 12/17, 110 yards
RushingChristian Beal-Smith13 carries, 129 yards
Receiving Jaquarii Roberson 6 receptions, 46 yards

At Louisville

Virginia Tech at Louisville
1234Total
Hokies14771442
Cardinals01402135
  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Location: Cardinal Stadium
    Louisville, KY
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 1 minute
  • Game attendance: 11,901
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: ESE 10 MPH
  • Referee: J. Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Eric Wood
        
Over/underPregame line
VT −567.5
StatisticsVirginia TechLouisville
First downs2123
Total yards466548
Rushing yards283198
Passing yards183350
Turnovers03
Time of possession32:1127:49
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Virginia TechPassingHendon Hooker10/10, 183 yards
RushingKhalil Herbert21 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTré Turner4 receptions, 71 yards
LouisvillePassing Malik Cunningham 23/35, 350 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing Javian Hawkins 17 carries, 129, 1 TD
Receiving Dez Fitzpatrick 5 receptions, 158, 1 TD

Liberty

Liberty at Virginia Tech
1234Total
No. 25 Flames7771738
Hokies31701535
  • Date: November 7, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Clear, nice • Wind: W 1 MPH
  • Referee: Stuart Mullins
  • TV announcers (ACCN): Chris Cotter (play–by–play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
        
Over/underPregame line
VT −1767.5 [11]
StatisticsLibertyVirginia Tech
First downs2924
Total yards466418
Rushing yards249201
Passing yards217217
Turnovers21
Time of possession37:2722:33
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LibertyPassing Malik Willis 20/30, 217 yards, 3 TDs
RushingMalik Willis19 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCJ Yarbrough5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
Virginia TechPassingHendon Hooker20/27, 217 yards, 3 TDs
RushingHendon Hooker20 carries, 156 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTré Turner6 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD

Miami (FL)

Miami (FL) at Virginia Tech
1234Total
No. 9 Hurricanes3106625
Hokies7710024
  • Date: November 14, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SSE 1 MPH
  • Referee: 
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott (play–by–play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Eric Wood (sideline reporter)
     
Over/underPregame line
VT –268 [12]
StatisticsMiami (FL)Virginia Tech
First downs2523
Total yards386361
Rushing yards131160
Passing yards255201
Turnovers01
Time of possession32:4027:24
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Miami (FL)Passing D'Eriq King 24/38, 255 yards, TD
RushingCam'Ron Harris14 carries, 63 yards, TD
ReceivingDee Wiggins8 receptions, 106 yards
Virginia TechPassingHendon Hooker19/29, 201 yards, INT
RushingHendon Hooker21 carries, 59 yards, TD
ReceivingTré Turner5 receptions, 86 yards

At Pittsburgh

Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
1234Total
Hokies0140014
Panthers61717747
  • Date: November 21, 2020
  • Location: Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 
  • Game attendance: 4,612
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD MPH
  • Referee: 
  • Television network: ACCN
Over/underPregame line
VT –6.552 [13]
StatisticsVirginia TechPittsburgh
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Virginia TechPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
PittsburghPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

Clemson

Clemson at Virginia Tech
1234Total
No. 3 Tigers107141445
Hokies730010
     
Over/underPregame line
CLEM –22.566.5
StatisticsClemsonVirginia Tech
First downs1918
Total yards433333
Rushing yards238131
Passing yards195202
Turnovers13
Time of possession22:0038:00
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ClemsonPassing Trevor Lawrence 12/22, 195 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Travis Etienne 16 carries, 66 yards
Receiving Cornell Powell 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD
Virginia TechPassingBraxton Burmeister10/12, 127 yards
RushingKhalil Herbert21 carries, 96 yards, TD
ReceivingRaheem Blackshear4 receptions, 68 yards

Virginia

Virginia at Virginia Tech
1234Total
Cavaliers708015
Hokies3243333
  • Date: December 12, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 2:59
  • Game attendance: 250
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: SSW 5 MPH
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • Television network: ACCN
Over/underPregame line
VT –364 [14]
StatisticsVirginiaVirginia Tech
First downs1920
Total yards322464
Rushing yards55252
Passing yards267212
Turnovers21
Time of possession24:4235:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VirginiaPassing Brennan Armstrong 25/46, 259 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RushingBrennan Armstrong15 carries, 23 yards
ReceivingLavel Davis Jr.3 receptions, 75 yards
Virginia TechPassingBraxton Burmeister15/22, 212 yards, 1 TD
RushingKhalil Herbert20 carries, 162 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTayvion Robinson5 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RVRV*2020RV192319RV
Coaches 2424*192423182320RVRV
CFP Not releasedNot released

2021 NFL Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Team
122 Caleb Farley CB Tennessee Titans
123 Christian Darrisaw OT Minnesota Vikings
380 Divine Deablo S Las Vegas Raiders
6217 Khalil Herbert RB Chicago Bears

References

  1. 1 2 Niziolek, Mike (December 16, 2020). "Virginia Tech players vote to end season, skip potential bowl game". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. "Bowl Games : All-time consecutive appearances". mcubed.net. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  3. "2020 Football Coaching Staff". hokiesports.com. Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports". TheACC.com. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  5. Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  6. "2020 Football Schedule". Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  7. "2020 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  8. "NC State Wolfpack vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  9. "Virginia Tech Hokies vs Duke Blue Devils". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  10. "Virginia Tech Hokies vs North Carolina Tar Heels". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  11. "Liberty Flames vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  12. "Miami-FL Hurricanes vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  13. "Virginia Tech Hokies vs Pittsburgh Panthers". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  14. "Virginia Cavaliers vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 12, 2020.