Allowing only 108 total yards on the ground through their first two games, the UNC defense appears to be the toughest matchup the Hokies will face in the trenches, but as the saying goes, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
For those first two games, the Tar Heels opponents were Syracuse and Boston College, which traditionally would be an impressive feat.
Syracuse, thus far, has played UNC, Pittsburgh (#2 ranked Rushing D) and Georgia Tech (24th from last). Now it may be that because they played UNC and Pitt that their running game is no good, or that because they played Syracuse that UNC and Pitt are so highly ranked. Ruling out sacks, UNC gave up 105 yards on 28 carries to the Orange. That figure also doesn't take into account scrambles that netted yards, so their is no clear sense on how many of those rushes were by design. Syracuse's top back, Sean Tucker, did not play in the UNC game and only toted the rock 4 times for 24 yards against the Panthers, before going off for a respectable 112 yards and 2 scores on 24 carries against the Yellow Jackets. Against the Panthers, Syracuse lost 41 yards on 7 sacks, which would have brought their numbers up a little more, to 92 yards. Against the Yellow Jackets, Syracuse netted 170 yards on 40 carries, minus the 1 sack. So taking sacks out of the equation, the true rushing average of Syracuse is 122.3 ypg, which puts them on par with Western Kentucky and just ahead of (*checks contact prescription, tries glasses, squints) LSU.
On to Boston College, surely the vaunted tough-nosed power running game that we all know and respect (hate, but respect). EEEEERRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHH, wrong. I'm guessing either they got the second coming of Doug Flutie, or they gave up on running the ball. Against the Tar Heels, BC threw the ball 56 times in a close 26-22 loss, compared to just 16 non-sack runs for 63 yards. In their outing against the powerhouse Texas State Armadillos Bobcats, Boston College called 25 running plays for 114 yards. Their other outing was against common opponent Duke, against whom the Hokies racked up 338 yards, not counting 2 sacks for 14 yards. How did the Eagles do? Well, they committed to running the ball 36 times for 116 non-sack yards. Factoring in all of their games, Boston College is averaging 97.7 ypg, just ahead of Missouri.
So, against all opponents, UNC's opponents have averaged 110 yards on the ground which means their opponents average exactly (my vision must be messed up badly) Bama. Is their rushing defense good? I have no idea, their opponents have been garbage to this point.
How good is Virginia Tech's rushing attack? Herbert's 208 yards against Duke was more than they gave up to any team this year, including UVA or Notre Dame. His 104 yards against NC State was more than they gave up to Pittsburgh and the Hokies doubled the rushing output against the Wolfpack that Wake gained.
Comments
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.
Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.