1. Virginia Tech has allowed a lot of explosive runs of (20+ yards) so far this season, to teams who are not necessarily known as great rushing teams:
ODU
Rushing yards vs VT: 39 carries for 243 yards (6.2 ypc) and 2 TDs
Rushing in other games: 75 carries for 203 yards (2.7 ypc) and 2 TDs
20+ yard runs: 3 (32, 48, 65[TD]). ODU only has 1 other run of 20+ yards on the season, which came against South Carolina
Marshall
Rushing yards vs VT: 26 carries for 147 yards (5.7 ypc) and 1 TD
Rushing in other games: 36 carries for 259 yards (7.2 ypc) and 1 TD (Stony Brook)
20+ yard runs: 2 (21, 69[TD]). Marshall only had one run of 20+ yards against FCS Stony Brook (only other game this season).
Vanderbilt
Rushing yards vs VT: 48 carries for 181 yards (3.8 ypc) and 2 TDs
Rushing in other games: 73 carries for 352 yards (4.8 ypc) and 6 TDs
20+ yard runs: 1 (27). Vandy only has 2 other runs of 20+ yards on the season, which both came against FCS Alcorn State.
2. Virginia Tech has had some serious special teams woes, allowing a huge negative play on specials in every game:
ODU: Blocked kick allowed
Marshall: Blocked punt allowed
Vanderbilt: 2 players with same jersey # which allowed Vandy to get into FG range.
Both these things bode extremely well for Rutgers, as they are signs that VT is poorly coached. VT is getting gashed in the running game mainly due to poor fits by LBs/safeties, this is something that should be fixed with coaching. Allowing massive mistakes on special teams shows they don't use it as an important enough point of emphasis, which means they aren't very detail oriented.
Rutgers is primed for a blocked punt/kick Saturday and Monangai should have plenty of explosive runs as well.
ODU
Rushing yards vs VT: 39 carries for 243 yards (6.2 ypc) and 2 TDs
Rushing in other games: 75 carries for 203 yards (2.7 ypc) and 2 TDs
20+ yard runs: 3 (32, 48, 65[TD]). ODU only has 1 other run of 20+ yards on the season, which came against South Carolina
Marshall
Rushing yards vs VT: 26 carries for 147 yards (5.7 ypc) and 1 TD
Rushing in other games: 36 carries for 259 yards (7.2 ypc) and 1 TD (Stony Brook)
20+ yard runs: 2 (21, 69[TD]). Marshall only had one run of 20+ yards against FCS Stony Brook (only other game this season).
Vanderbilt
Rushing yards vs VT: 48 carries for 181 yards (3.8 ypc) and 2 TDs
Rushing in other games: 73 carries for 352 yards (4.8 ypc) and 6 TDs
20+ yard runs: 1 (27). Vandy only has 2 other runs of 20+ yards on the season, which both came against FCS Alcorn State.
2. Virginia Tech has had some serious special teams woes, allowing a huge negative play on specials in every game:
ODU: Blocked kick allowed
Marshall: Blocked punt allowed
Vanderbilt: 2 players with same jersey # which allowed Vandy to get into FG range.
Both these things bode extremely well for Rutgers, as they are signs that VT is poorly coached. VT is getting gashed in the running game mainly due to poor fits by LBs/safeties, this is something that should be fixed with coaching. Allowing massive mistakes on special teams shows they don't use it as an important enough point of emphasis, which means they aren't very detail oriented.
Rutgers is primed for a blocked punt/kick Saturday and Monangai should have plenty of explosive runs as well.
