Virginia Tech looks to bounce back in home opener against Marshall

Marshall (1-0) at Virginia Tech (0-1), Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CW Sports)

MGM Plant College football odds:Virginia Tech at 20.5.

Series standings: Virginia Tech leads 10-3,

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Virginia Tech, which began the season with high expectations, is looking to rebound after a 34-27 overtime loss to Vanderbilt in its season opener. The Hokies entered the game as 13.5-point favorites but allowed a tying touchdown in the final two minutes and failed to score on its only possession in overtime. Marshall opened with a 45-3 victory over Stony Brook. The Hokies have won two consecutive home openers under coach Brent Pry, who is in his third season, but Marshall, coming off a 6-7 season under Charles Huff, is looking for its second straight victory over the Hokies after a 24-17 victory last season.

A key clash

Marshall showcased a balanced attack against Stony Brook, throwing for 290 yards on 32 attempts and rushing for 259 yards on 36 attempts. Herd, who rushed for 214 yards last season in a win over the Hokies, will look for similar production against a Virginia Tech defense that has struggled against the run at times under Pry. The Hokies gave up 181 rushing yards to Vanderbilt last week.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marshall: RB AJ Turner. He is part of a three-man rotation at tailback for the Herd and was most impressive against Stony Brook. Although he did not start, Turner rushed for 119 yards on just eight attempts, including an 80-yard run. He and Jordan Houston, a transfer from NC State, ran the ball eight times to lead the Herd.

Virginia Tech: QB Kyron Drones. Started slowly against Vanderbilt but finished with career-highs in passing yards (22) and yards (322) and threw two touchdown passes before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with cramps. The performance marked just the second game of his career with 300 passing yards.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Marshall started three quarterbacks in the win over Stony Brook, and Stone Earle, a transfer from North Texas, was in the starting lineup. Earle and Braylon Braxton each threw two touchdown passes … All three quarterbacks threw a touchdown pass, the first for Marshall since 1932 … Nine players on Marshall’s roster are from Virginia … Herd added 45 new players and six new assistant coaches this offseason … Virginia Tech has scored points in 371 consecutive games, fourth on the all-time list and fourth on the active list … The Hokies will be without defensive end Jalen Stroman, who suffered an undisclosed injury against Vanderbilt. Pry said Stroman will miss at least a few weeks and said Jaylen Jones and Mose Phillips III will get more reps.

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