Defending ACC champion Virginia Tech opens with East Carolina
editor1 |Aug 25,2008
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No. 15 Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina, 12:00 pm EDT
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- No. 15 Virginia Tech hopes
to begin another successful season on the right foot Saturday
when it faces East Carolina at Bank of America Stadium.
The defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Hokies have
enjoyed four straight double-digit win seasons and are
contenders to return to the top of the ACC.
Virginia Tech went 11-3 last season, which ended with a 24-21
setback to Kansas in the Orange Bowl.
Virginia Tech's two-quarterback attack will be heavily relied on
this season with the departure of running back Brandon Ore and a
number of wide receivers.
Passing-oriented Sean Glennon and speedy Tyrod Taylor
complemented each other well last season, combining for 24
touchdowns. However, Eddie Royal, Josh Morgan and Justin Harper
have all left and will not be on the receiving end for the duo
this season.
The defense for Virginia Tech also lost key players, notably
cornerback Brandon Flowers, and return only four starters from
last year's team, which allowed 16.1 points per game.
East Carolina scored 30 or more points eight times last season
but did lose 1,400-yard rusher Chris Johnson to the NFL.
The Pirates played the Hokies tough last year, dropping a 17-7
decision in the season opener at Blacksburg, Virginia.
East Carolina won seven of its last nine games, capped by a
41-38 victory over Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl to finish the
2007 campaign at 8-5.
Overall, the Hokies have won six straight games against the
Pirates and are 9-4 in the all-time series, which began in 1956.
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