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VPI (better known as Virginia Tech) stands in the way of Pitt's recovery efforts

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - 11/20/2020

Nov. 20--Before we get started, let's make something perfectly clear:

The team scheduled to play Pitt on Saturday at Heinz Field (and we say "scheduled" because these days you never know) is not technically Virginia Tech.

To explain, here's a bit of history that's been passed down through the years:

In 1872, Addison "Add" Caldwell and his older brother Milton, sons of a Confederate Army veteran, walked 26 miles from their home in Sinking Creek, Va., to Blacksburg, Va. There, Addison became the first student to enroll at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, a state-supported, land grant military institute, now famously known as Virginia Tech. His scholarship covered the $30 cost of tuition.

The Virginia state legislature added "and Polytechnic Institute" in 1896, but officially shortened the unwieldy name to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in 1944. The words "State University" were added in 1970, but you can call it Virginia Tech (even though you would be technically incorrect) or VPI (the name preferred by its older graduates).

By any name, Add Caldwell's alma mater poses a problem for Pitt

Actually, it promises to be a tough game for both teams. The Panthers and Hokies have struggled with coronavirus and football issues and are looking desperately to make amends.

Both drag disappointing 4-4 records into Heinz Field while Pitt is 3-4 in the ACC, VPI 4-3. The Hokies' current two-game losing streak includes a 38-35 nonconference loss to No. 21 Liberty and a 25-24 defeat by No. 12 Miami.

Here are five thoughts to ponder before the 4 p.m. kickoff on the ACC Network:

1. Why does it matter?

To Pitt and coach Pat Narduzzi, it means plenty. Especially with many fans wondering why Pitt can't win more in Narduzzi's sixth season.

A total of 10 of Pitt's 21 scholarship seniors will be honored pregame, although the traditional on-field greeting by their parents has been scrubbed for virus concerns.

If Pitt loses to the Hokies, it must upset No. 4 Clemson next week in Death Valley to have a chance to avoid its third non-winning season in the past four. Victory in two of the final three adds up only to 6-5. But doesn't that look so much better than 5-6?

2. What about the defense?

Despite some busts in the secondary and a missed tackle or two, Pitt remains one of the nation's best defenses, statistically.

It's No. 9 overall (an average of 298.5 per game) and No. 2 against the run (78.8).

You might say those numbers are skewed in Pitt's favor by the Austin Peay game, which included 10-minute quarters in the second half.

OK, take away Austin Peay's 1 yard on the ground, and Pitt is still allowing only 89.8 rushing yards per game to ACC competition.

Which is a good thing because VPI can run better than any team in the conference.

It leads the ACC with an average of 262.8 rushing yards per game and is eighth in the nation. Running back Khalil Herbert is second in the ACC with 852 yards on the ground.

"They have an attitude with running the ball." Pitt safeties coach Cory Sanders said. "We have to do a good job with our eyes, keys and execution."

The matchup to watch will be Herbert against Pitt linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who leads the ACC and is second in the country with 13.5 tackles for a loss.

3. Brandon Hill's encore

The redshirt freshman safety was outstanding in his debut performance as Paris Ford's replacement. Now, can he be as consistently productive as Ford was in run defense.

If enthusiasm matters, Hill should do fine.

"I literally have to get on him -- this sounds crazy -- for practicing too hard," Sanders said. "He just goes and wants to hit everybody and everything."

Sanders said when he admonishes Hill, "He just laughs."

"When you go against our first-team offense, you can't just run and hit those guys as if it's a Saturday. We have to be smart and understand when to peel off."

Of course, who's Sanders kidding?

"He wants to dive for every single ball," the coach said, "and I love it."

4. Speaking of safeties ...

Sanders has been keeping count, and he said senior safety Damar Hamlin has logged 1,700 game reps in five seasons. But it's Hamlin's leadership that really matters.

"He gets things right back there," Sanders said. "Damar did a good job of easing (Hill) into the position, talking him through things."

Plus, Hamlin keeps thirsting for knowledge, according to Sanders.

"If you look at his notebook for meetings, it looks as if he was a freshman coming into a new system," he said. "He's taking notes like it's his first day here."

5. Jones' last goodbye

Defensive end Patrick Jones II will be off to the NFL after the season, and he looks like a player who won't last two rounds in the 2021 draft.

But he said deciding to come back for the 2020 season worked out well for him. He leads the ACC with eight sacks.

"It gave me an extra year to fine tune my skills," he said. "I wasn't even on the map last year. Having a wider variety of pass rush moves, that's something that I really worked on. I have a deeper tool box I can dig into."

Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry by email at jdipaola@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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