Covering Local Teams: A 4-0 Opening Weekend
Virginia Tech– Sunday night the No. 21 ranked Hokies and the No. 22 ranked West Virginia Mountaineers faced off to reignite their rivalry, meeting for the first time since 2005, at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The game was very intense, with either team having a shot to win until the clock hit 0:00. The Hokies outlasted the Mountaineers 31-24, to move to 1-0 on the season. The Hokies quarterback freshman Josh Jackson threw for 235 yards, ran for 101 more, and accounted for two touchdowns, in his first college start. Next week the Hokies look to carry this momentum when they play Delaware (1-0), at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. The game starts at 3:30 PM EST on ACC Network.
Maryland– The Maryland Terrapins upset the No. 23 ranked Texas Longhorns this weekend in Austin, Texas. Maryland Quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome passed for two touchdowns, and ran for one in the win over Texas. Pigrome suffered a season ending injury late in the third quarter, and true freshman Kasim Hill stepped in to take his place and led the Terps on two touchdown drives in the fourth-quarter to keep Texas out of reach. Junior running back Ty Johnson ran for 132 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown, averaging a whopping 11 yards per carry. This win over ranked Texas is the first time Maryland has beat a ranked opponent in seven years. The Terps will have their home opener this weekend against Towson (1-0), at 12 PM EST on the Big Ten Network.
Virginia– For the first time since 2013, The Virginia Cavaliers start off their football season 1-0. The ‘Hoos defeated VA foe William and Mary 28-10 Saturday afternoon. UVA quarterback Kurt Benkert completed 27 of his 39 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. This was the first game since October 12, 2013 that the Cavaliers did not turn the ball over, which is a good sign if you’re a ‘Hoos fan. This weekend Virginia will face a much tougher challenge when The Hoosiers of Indiana (0-1) roll into town. This game will be at 3:30 PM EST on ACC Network.
James Madison– The Dukes of James Madison showed why they’re the defending FCS champs with a blowout 34-14 victory over FBS opponent East Carolina, in Greenville, NC. Senior running back Cardon Johnson led the Dukes offense with career-best 265 rushing yards, and two touchdowns, the most ECU has allowed since 2004. JMU’s defense also played well, by only giving up 80 rushing yards, and forcing three interceptions. The Dukes will host East Tennessee State (1-0) this Saturday at 6:00 PM EST at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.