2017_Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football_team
2017 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
American college football season
The 2017 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hokies were led by second-year head coach Justin Fuente and played their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech competed as members of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in ACC play to finish in second place in the Coastal Division. They were invited to the Camping World Bowl where they lost to Oklahoma State.
| 2017 Virginia Tech Hokies football | |
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Camping World Bowl, L 21–30 vs. Oklahoma State | |
| Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference |
| Division | Coastal Division |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 25 |
| AP | No. 24 |
| Record | 9–4 (5–3 ACC) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Brad Cornelsen (2nd season) |
| Offensive scheme | Spread |
| Defensive coordinator | Bud Foster (23rd season) |
| Base defense | 4–4 |
| Home stadium | Lane Stadium |
Uniform | |
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Seasons | |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlantic Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 4 Clemson xy$^ | 7 | – | 1 | 12 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 23 NC State | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisville | 4 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wake Forest | 4 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida State | 3 | – | 5 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syracuse | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coastal Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 13 Miami (FL) xy | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 24 Virginia Tech | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duke | 3 | – | 5 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pittsburgh | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 1 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship: Clemson 38, Miami 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Name | Title | Joined Staff |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Fuente | Head Coach | 2016 |
| Bud Foster | Associate head coach, Defensive coordinator & Linbeackers | 1987 |
| Galen Scott | Assistant Head Coach & Safeties | 2016 |
| Zohn Burden | Running Backs | 2015 |
| Brad Cornelsen | Offensive coordinator, Quarterbacks | 2016 |
| Brian Mitchell | Cornerbacks | 2016 |
| James Shibest | Special Teams Coordinator, Tight Ends | 2016 |
| Vance Vice | Offensive Line | 2016 |
| Holmon Wiggins | Wide Receivers | 2016 |
| Charley Wiles | Defensive Line | 1996 |
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 3 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. No. 22 West Virginia* | No. 21 | ABC | W 31–24 | 67,489 | |
| September 9 | 3:30 p.m. | Delaware* | No. 18 | ACCN Extra | W 27–0 | 62,526 | |
| September 16 | 3:30 p.m. | at East Carolina* | No. 16 | CBSSN | W 64–17 | 43,776 | |
| September 23 | 2:00 p.m. | Old Dominion* | No. 13 |
| ACCN Extra | W 38–0 | 65,632 |
| September 30 | 8:00 p.m. | No. 2 Clemson | No. 12 |
| ABC | L 17–31 | 65,632 |
| October 7 | 7:15 p.m. | at Boston College | No. 16 | ESPN2 | W 23–10 | 32,057 | |
| October 21 | 3:30 p.m. | North Carolina | No. 14 |
| ESPN2 | W 59–7 | 65,632 |
| October 28 | 7:20 p.m. | Duke | No. 13 |
| ACCN | W 24–3 | 60,914 |
| November 4 | 8:00 p.m. | at No. 10 Miami (FL) | No. 13 | ABC | L 10–28 | 63,932 | |
| November 11 | 12:20 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | No. 17 | ACCN | L 22–28 | 47,909 | |
| November 18 | 12:20 p.m. | Pittsburgh |
| ACCN | W 20–14 | 58,948 | |
| November 24 | 8:00 p.m. | at Virginia | No. 25 | ESPN | W 10–0 | 48,609 | |
| December 28 | 5:15 p.m. | vs. No. 19 Oklahoma State* | No. 22 | ESPN | L 21–30 | 39,610 | |
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Schedule source[1]
vs West Virginia
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In the first game of the season at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, Hokies quarterback Josh Jackson ran for a touchdown and threw another as the Hokies held off No. 22-ranked West Virginia 31–24. In the 52nd meeting between the two schools, a back-and-forth matchup was decided in the fourth quarter when Jackson rushed for a 46-yard gain to set up Travon McMillion's three-yard touchdown run with 6:30 left in the game. The Hokie defense, which gave up 592 total yards to the Mountaineers, came up big at the end, keeping West Virginia out of the endzone after two attempts from the 15-yard line as time expired. The win moved the Hokies to 1–0 on the season.[2]
Delaware
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The Hokies announced they would wear new "white Hokie stone" helmets for their first home game of the year against FCS Delaware.[3][4] After allowing nearly 600 yards to West Virginia, Virginia Tech's defense rebounded nicely to record Bud Foster's 32nd shutout as the Hokies' defensive coordinator. The Blue Hens only got into Virginia Tech territory three times. Another Hokie hallmark, special teams, played an important role as Greg Stroman returned a punt for a touchdown late in the first quarter to give the Hokies a 7–0 lead. Quarterback Josh Jackson threw two scoring passes in the game as the Hokies were held to only 303 yards of total offense. However, it was enough as the Hokies moved to 2–0 on the season with a 27–0 win.[5]
At East Carolina
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Virginia Tech traveled to Greenville, North Carolina to take on East Carolina in a non-conference game. Things did not start well for the Hokies as the Pirates took an early 7–0 and then 17–7 lead as the first quarter ended. VT responded quickly thereafter, getting a touchdown catch from Cam Phillips and three Joey Slye field goals in the second quarter to take the lead at the half 23–17. In the second half the Hokies ran away with the game scoring five touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 57–17 lead. Four of the third quarter touchdowns were passes from quarterback Josh Jackson. Another touchdown in the fourth quarter gave the Hokies a 64–17 win over East Carolina.[6]
The Hokies rushed for 287 yards and Jackson passed for 388 yards and five touchdowns in the blowout. Phillips set a school record with 14 catches for 189 yards in the game.[6] Meanwhile, the Hokie defense held the Pirates to only 281 total yards. The win moved the Hokies to 3–0 on the season.
Old Dominion
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Clemson
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At Boston College
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North Carolina
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Duke
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Devils | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 13 Hokies | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
At Miami (FL)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 13 Hokies | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| No. 9 Hurricanes | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
At Georgia Tech
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 Hokies | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 22 |
| Yellow Jackets | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Pittsburgh
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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| Panthers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Hokies | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
At Virginia
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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| No. 24 Hokies | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Cavaliers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Vs. Oklahoma State-Camping World Bowl
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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| No. 22 Hokies | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| No. 19 Cowboys | 3 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 30 |
Since the start of the 2016 season, two days prior to each game, Head Coach Justin Fuente has selected an outstanding special teams player to wear the #25 jersey in honor of former head coach, Frank Beamer, who wore #25 as a player for Virginia Tech.
The players honored in the 2017 season are:
| Game | Opponent | Player |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | West Virginia | Anthony Shegog (2) |
| Game 2 | Delaware | Colton Taylor |
| Game 3 | East Carolina | Greg Stroman (2) |
| Game 4 | Old Dominion | Deon Newsome |
| Game 5 | Clemson | Terrell Edmunds (2) |
| Game 6 | Boston College | Greg Stroman (3) |
| Game 7 | North Carolina | Oscar Bradburn (Fr) |
| Game 8 | Duke | Ricky Walker |
| Game 9 | Miami | Sean Huelskamp (2) |
| Game 10 | Georgia Tech | Tremaine Edmunds |
| Game 11 | Pittsburgh | Andrew Motuapuaka |
| Game 12 | Virginia | Jovonn Quillen |
| Camping World Bowl | Oklahoma State | Andrew Motuapuaka (2) |
The Hokies had five players selected in the 2018 NFL draft. The Edmunds brothers were both selected in the first round.
| Player | Team | Round | Pick # | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tremaine Edmunds | Buffalo Bills | 1st | 16th | LB |
| Terrell Edmunds | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1st | 28th | S |
| Tim Settle | Washington Redskins | 5th | 163rd | NT |
| Wyatt Teller | Buffalo Bills | 5th | 166th | G |
| Greg Stroman | Washington Redskins | 7th | 241st | CB |
- 2017 Virginia Tech Hokies football schedule. FBSchedules.com. Accessed April 14, 2017.
- "West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech - Game Recap - September 3, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- LaBlue, Ricky. "Virginia Tech Football Releases Photos of New Helmet". TechSideline.com. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- "Hokies to Debut Icy Hokie Stone Lids Against Delaware". The Key Play. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- "Delaware vs. Virginia Tech - Game Recap - September 9, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- "Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina - Game Recap - September 16, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
Media related to 2017 Virginia Tech Hokies football team at Wikimedia Commons