The Virginia Tech defense limited Marshall to just six yards on the ground as the Hokies knocked off the Thundering Herd 30-10 on Saturday afternoon. Tech moves to 4-0 on the season with the win, and await 4-0 Clemson in a huge night game in Lane Stadium next Saturday night.
Marshall managed just 0.3 yards per carry on Saturday. Quarterback Rakeem Cato was sacked five times, while tailbacks Tron Martinez and Travon Van were limited to a combined 16 carries for 18 yards. Cato did throw for 245 yards, with a touchdown an an interception, but it wasn’t enough to beat a Tech defense that completely shut down the running game.
J.R. Collins, playing with a sprained ankle, had 2.5 sacks for the Hokies. James Gayle added 1.5 sacks, while Bruce Taylor also had a sack. Antone Exum intercepted a pass, as the Tech defense held Marshall to just 251 yards of total offense.
Gayle also added another 1.5 tackles for loss for the Tech defense, which dominated the Marshall offensive line all day.
The Virginia Tech offense racked up 444 yards of total offense. Marshall stacked the line to stop the Tech rushing game, but David Wilson still managed 26 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown, while Josh Oglesby added 12 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns. As a team, Tech ran for 215 yards. Logan Thomas also added a rushing touchdown.
With Marshall stacking the line of scrimmage, Thomas had a good day through the air, going 22-of-33 for 229 yards, with an interception. Thomas was very sharp for most of the day, with his only interception coming on a deep bomb down the left sideline that was intended for Danny Coale.
With Jarrett Boykin and Dyrell Roberts out for the game, D.J. Coles and Danny Coale stepped up. Making his first collegiate start, Coles caught eight passes for 66 yards, while Coale added seven receptions for 107 yards. Coale has 14 catches over his last two games.
Despite the 20 point win, Virginia Tech could have played better, yet again. David Wilson fumbled at the Marshall 19 early in the fourth quarter, and placekicker Cody Journell also missed a 37 yard field goal wide left in the third quarter. The Hokies have some things to clean up before a hot Clemson team comes to town next weekend.
Speaking of Clemson, they knocked off #11 Florida State 35-30 on Saturday. The Tigers were already ranked #21 before their win over the Noles, and will be in the top 20 when they come to Blacksburg before next Saturday night’s game.
The Clemson game will begin at 6pm, and it will be televised by ESPN2.
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