Virginia Tech Game Preview
10/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 14, 2010
Video: Game Preview With Jim Grobe 
Game Notes: Wake Forest 
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By Steven Johns, WakeForestSports.com
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest will hit the road for the first time in two weeks when the Demon Deacons travel to Blacksburg this weekend to take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech.
The Deacons (2-4, 1-2 ACC) are coming off a last minute loss to Navy, while Virginia Tech (4-2, 2-0 ACC) is riding a two-game winning streak.
The Deacs held a late lead against the Naval Academy until the final minute of the game when the Midshipmen drove down the field to score a touchdown to win 28-27. Wake Forest had had success for most of the contest, but poor execution down the stretch led to its second heartbreaking loss in as many games.
"We can't lose another one" said senior linebacker Matt Woodlief. "We really have to work extra hard this week in the weight room, on the field, off the field, you know do something; in the film room, get more film in. We've got to do something; we've got to do extra work."
Offensively, the Deacs played well until the final two drives. However, a late three-and-out put Navy's run-based option offense gave the Midshipmen the opportunity to drive 65 yards as time ticked down, and they took advantage of it.
"It's not one person, it's not one thing; I think it all boils down to having to play well, but having to play well together" said junior offensive lineman Doug Weaver. "One person can't have a great game and one person can't have a terrible game. Everybody needs to be on the same page."
The task gets even more difficult this week when Wake Forest takes on the Hokies, who are fresh off of victories over NC State and Central Michigan. Virginia Tech features a plethora of talent on the offensive side of the ball and a defense that has been quickly improving over the past few weeks.
"Defensively, we're facing another great quarterback in Tyrod Taylor," said head coach Jim Grobe. "It seems like we're up against a great quarterback every week, and here's another one. He's a mobile quarterback and might be more mobile than either [Georgia Tech QB Josh] Nesbitt or [Navy QB Ricky] Dobbs. That will give our defense a lot of problems, on top of the fact they might have the greatest group of running backs in the country."
Virginia Tech has three players, Taylor, Darren Evans and David Wilson, with over 300 yards rushing. The Hokie backfield also features the 2009 ACC Rookie of the Year in Ryan Williams.
In addition to his 449 rushing yards, Taylor has also thrown for 1,030 yards this season and will be looking to use his throwing ability against a Wake Forest secondary that has yet to hit its stride this season.
"I think the biggest issue that we've got (with the secondary) is consistency and consistently doing their assignments" said Grobe. "We had some busts the other night that hurt us. I don't know that anything will help it other than just playing."
The offense also faces a tough challenge with the improving Hokie defense.
"Defensively, they have started coming into their own" said Grobe. "They had a lot of young guys playing early in the season, and they struggled a little bit. They've got all that together, and they've looked really good the last couple of weeks."
Despite this improvement, the young Virginia Tech defense has given up 51 points in the last two weeks.
Traveling to Blacksburg may appear to be a daunting task, but Woodlief believes that this is the week that Wake Forest gets back in the win column.
"We really want this one; we really want to win this week" said Woodlief. "We're going to do everything we can to prepare ourselves this week in practice. Everybody on that team is big, strong, physical and fast. We've just got to tell ourselves that they're scholarship guys like us. We're good, they're good; who wants it more?"
