2020 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

The 2020 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Tech during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hokies were led by fifth-year head coach Justin Fuente and played their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, competing as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

2020 Virginia Tech Hokies football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
Record5–6 (5–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrad Cornelsen (5th season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorJustin Hamilton (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumLane Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 5 Notre Dame y^   9 0     10 2  
No. 3 Clemson y$^   8 1     10 2  
No. 22 Miami (FL)   7 2     8 3  
No. 18 North Carolina   7 3     8 4  
NC State   7 3     8 4  
Boston College   5 5     6 5  
Pittsburgh   5 5     6 5  
Virginia Tech   5 5     5 6  
Virginia   4 5     5 5  
Wake Forest   3 4     4 5  
Georgia Tech   3 6     3 7  
Louisville   3 7     4 7  
Florida State   2 6     3 6  
Duke   1 9     2 9  
Syracuse   1 9     1 10  
Championship: Clemson 34, Notre Dame 10
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll.

After completing their regular season with a 5–6 record (5–5 in ACC play), the program announced on December 16 that players had voted to end their season and would not consider a bid to a bowl game.[1] The Hokies had appeared in a bowl game for 27 consecutive seasons, dating back to the 1993 Independence Bowl.[1] This was fourth-longest streak of consecutive bowl game appearances in college football history.[2]

Coaching staff

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Virginia Tech Hokies coaches
Name Title Joined staff
Justin Fuente Head coach 2016
Brad Cornelsen Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 2016
Vance Vice Offensive line coach 2016
Jafar Williams Wide receivers coach 2019
Adam Lechtenberg Running back coach 2017
Justin Hamilton Defensive coordinator/Safeties coach 2018
Tracy Claeys Linebackers coach 2020
Bill Teerlinck Defensive line coach 2020
Darryl Tapp Co-Defensive line coach 2020
James Shibest Special teams coordinator/Tight end coach 2016
Ryan Smith Cornerbacks coach 2020
Ben Hilgart Strength and conditioning 2016
Reference:[3]

Schedule

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Virginia Tech had games scheduled against Liberty, Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, and Penn State, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5]

The ACC released their schedule on July 29, with specific dates selected at a later date.[4]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 268:00 p.m.NC StateNo. 20ACCNW 45–241,000
October 34:00 p.m.at DukeACCNW 38–310
October 1012:00 p.m.at No. 8 North CarolinaNo. 19ABCL 45–563,535
October 178:00 p.m.Boston CollegeNo. 23
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA (rivalry)
ACCNW 40–141,000
October 243:30 p.m.at Wake ForestNo. 19ACCRSNL 16–232,135
October 314:00 p.m.at LouisvilleACCNW 42–3511,901
November 712:00 p.m.No. 25 Liberty*
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
ACCNL 35–381,000
November 1412:00 p.m.No. 9 Miami (FL)
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA (rivalry)
ESPNL 24–251,000
November 214:00 p.m.at PittsburghACCNL 14–474,612
December 57:30 p.m.No. 3 Clemson
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
ABCL 10–45250
December 128:00 p.m.Virginia
ACCNW 33–15250
Schedule Source:[6][7]

Game summaries

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NC State

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NC State at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
Wolfpack 0 1077 24
No. 20 Hokies 17 1468 45
        
Over/under Pregame line
VT −6 56.5[8]
Statistics NC State Virginia Tech
First downs 19 22
Total yards 386 495
Rushing yards 139 314
Passing yards 247 181
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 30:55 29:05
Team Category Player Statistics
NC State Passing Devin Leary 12/16, 165 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Zonovan Knight 14 carries, 94 yards
Receiving Devin Carter 4 receptions, 79 yards
Virginia Tech Passing Braxton Burmeister 7/11, 106 yards
Rushing Khalil Herbert 6 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD
Receiving James Mitchell 3 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD

At Duke

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Virginia Tech at Duke
1 234Total
Hokies 7 31414 38
Blue Devils 7 0717 31
       
Over/under Pregame line
VT −11 54[9]
Statistics Virginia Tech Duke
First downs 25 19
Total yards 487 410
Rushing yards 324 139
Passing yards 163 271
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 34:04 25:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Tech Passing Braxton Burmeister 9/25, 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Khalil Herbert 20 carries, 208 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Tayvion Robinson 2 receptions, 85 yards
Duke Passing Chase Brice 22/39, 271 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Mataeo Durant 11 carries, 86 yards
Receiving Jarett Garner 3 receptions, 84 yards

At North Carolina

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Virginia Tech at North Carolina
1 234Total
No. 19 Hokies 0 14238 45
No. 8 Tar Heels 21 14714 56
           
Over/under Pregame line
UNC −3.0 59[10]
Statistics Virginia Tech North Carolina
First downs 25 31
Total yards 495 656
Rushing yards 260 399
Passing yards 235 257
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 32:06 27:54
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Tech Passing Hendon Hooker 7/13, 136 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Khalil Herbert 18 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving James Mitchell 4 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD
North Carolina Passing Sam Howell 18/23, 257 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Michael Carter 17 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Dyami Brown 3 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TDs

Boston College

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Boston College at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
Eagles 0 770 14
No. 23 Hokies 3 141013 40
  • Date: October 17, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 8:05 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: NW 5 MPH
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Dave O'Brian (play-by-play), Tim Hasselbeck (analyst), Katie George (sideline reporter)
     
Over/under Pregame line
VT −12.5 62
Statistics Boston College Virginia Tech
First downs  24  23
Total yards  435  461
Rushing yards  90  350
Passing yards  345  111
Turnovers  5  0
Time of possession  29:12  30:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Boston College Passing Phil Jurkovec 28/51, 345 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing David Bailey 10 carries, 41 yards
Receiving Jaelen Gill 6 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD
Virginia Tech Passing Hendon Hooker 11/15, 111 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Hendon Hooker 18 carries, 164 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Khalil Herbert 1 reception, 29 yards, 1 TD

At Wake Forest

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Virginia Tech at Wake Forest
1 234Total
No. 19 Hokies 0 1033 16
Demon Deacons 10 733 23
  • Date: October 24, 2020
  • Location: Truist Field at Wake Forest
    Winston–Salem, NC
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 9 minutes
  • Game attendance: 2,135
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: W 2 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Evan Lepler (play–by–play), Brian Jordan (analyst), Abby Labar (sideline reporter)
     
Over/under Pregame line
VT −10.5 68.5
Statistics Virginia Tech Wake Forest
First downs 28 17
Total yards 433 316
Rushing yards 210 206
Passing yards 223 110
Turnovers 3 0
Time of possession 30:18 29:42
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Tech Passing Hendon Hooker 17/33, 223 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing Hendon Hooker 17 carries, 98 yards
Receiving Tré Turner 5 receptions, 61 yards
Wake Forest Passing Sam Hartman 12/17, 110 yards
Rushing Christian Beal-Smith 13 carries, 129 yards
Receiving Jaquarii Roberson 6 receptions, 46 yards

At Louisville

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Virginia Tech at Louisville
1 234Total
Hokies 14 7714 42
Cardinals 0 14021 35
  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Location: Cardinal Stadium
    Louisville, KY
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 1 minute
  • Game attendance: 11,901
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: ESE 10 MPH
  • Referee: J. Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ACC Network): Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Eric Wood
        
Over/under Pregame line
VT −5 67.5
Statistics Virginia Tech Louisville
First downs 21 23
Total yards 466 548
Rushing yards 283 198
Passing yards 183 350
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 32:11 27:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Tech Passing Hendon Hooker 10/10, 183 yards
Rushing Khalil Herbert 21 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tré Turner 4 receptions, 71 yards
Louisville Passing Malik Cunningham 23/35, 350 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing Javian Hawkins 17 carries, 129, 1 TD
Receiving Dez Fitzpatrick 5 receptions, 158, 1 TD

Liberty

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Liberty at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
No. 25 Flames 7 7717 38
Hokies 3 17015 35
  • Date: November 7, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Clear, nice • Wind: W 1 MPH
  • Referee: Stuart Mullins
  • TV announcers (ACCN): Chris Cotter (play–by–play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
        
Over/under Pregame line
VT −17 67.5[11]
Statistics Liberty Virginia Tech
First downs 29 24
Total yards 466 418
Rushing yards 249 201
Passing yards 217 217
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 37:27 22:33
Team Category Player Statistics
Liberty Passing Malik Willis 20/30, 217 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Malik Willis 19 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD
Receiving CJ Yarbrough 5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
Virginia Tech Passing Hendon Hooker 20/27, 217 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Hendon Hooker 20 carries, 156 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tré Turner 6 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD

Miami (FL)

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Miami (FL) at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
No. 9 Hurricanes 3 1066 25
Hokies 7 7100 24
  • Date: November 14, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SSE 1 MPH
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott (play–by–play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Eric Wood (sideline reporter)
     
Over/under Pregame line
VT –2 68[12]
Statistics Miami (FL) Virginia Tech
First downs 25 23
Total yards 386 361
Rushing yards 131 160
Passing yards 255 201
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 32:40 27:24
Team Category Player Statistics
Miami (FL) Passing D'Eriq King 24/38, 255 yards, TD
Rushing Cam'Ron Harris 14 carries, 63 yards, TD
Receiving Dee Wiggins 8 receptions, 106 yards
Virginia Tech Passing Hendon Hooker 19/29, 201 yards, INT
Rushing Hendon Hooker 21 carries, 59 yards, TD
Receiving Tré Turner 5 receptions, 86 yards

At Pittsburgh

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Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
Hokies 0 1400 14
Panthers 6 17177 47
  • Date: November 21, 2020
  • Location: Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 4,612
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD MPH
  • Referee:  
  • Television network: ACCN
Over/under Pregame line
VT –6.5 52[13]
Statistics Virginia Tech Pittsburgh
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Tech Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Pittsburgh Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

Clemson

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Clemson at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
No. 3 Tigers 10 71414 45
Hokies 7 300 10
     
Over/under Pregame line
CLEM –22.5 66.5
Statistics Clemson Virginia Tech
First downs 19 18
Total yards 433 333
Rushing yards 238 131
Passing yards 195 202
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 22:00 38:00
Team Category Player Statistics
Clemson Passing Trevor Lawrence 12/22, 195 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Travis Etienne 16 carries, 66 yards
Receiving Cornell Powell 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD
Virginia Tech Passing Braxton Burmeister 10/12, 127 yards
Rushing Khalil Herbert 21 carries, 96 yards, TD
Receiving Raheem Blackshear 4 receptions, 68 yards

Virginia

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Virginia at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
Cavaliers 7 080 15
Hokies 3 2433 33
  • Date: December 12, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 2:59
  • Game attendance: 250
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: SSW 5 MPH
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • Television network: ACCN
Over/under Pregame line
VT –3 64[14]
Statistics Virginia Virginia Tech
First downs 19 20
Total yards 322 464
Rushing yards 55 252
Passing yards 267 212
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 24:42 35:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Passing Brennan Armstrong 25/46, 259 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Brennan Armstrong 15 carries, 23 yards
Receiving Lavel Davis Jr. 3 receptions, 75 yards
Virginia Tech Passing Braxton Burmeister 15/22, 212 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Khalil Herbert 20 carries, 162 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tayvion Robinson 5 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRV*2020RV192319RV
Coaches2424*192423182320RVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

2021 NFL Draft

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Round Pick Player Position NFL Team
1 22 Caleb Farley CB Tennessee Titans
1 23 Christian Darrisaw OT Minnesota Vikings
3 80 Divine Deablo S Las Vegas Raiders
6 217 Khalil Herbert RB Chicago Bears

References

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  1. ^ a b Niziolek, Mike (December 16, 2020). "Virginia Tech players vote to end season, skip potential bowl game". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Bowl Games : All-time consecutive appearances". mcubed.net. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  3. ^ "2020 Football Coaching Staff". hokiesports.com. Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports". TheACC.com. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "2020 Football Schedule". Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "2020 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  8. ^ "NC State Wolfpack vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Virginia Tech Hokies vs Duke Blue Devils". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  10. ^ "Virginia Tech Hokies vs North Carolina Tar Heels". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "Liberty Flames vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "Miami-FL Hurricanes vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  13. ^ "Virginia Tech Hokies vs Pittsburgh Panthers". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "Virginia Cavaliers vs Virginia Tech Hokies". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 12, 2020.