The game that most of Liberty’s fan base has been eagerly anticipating for several years is now just a few months away and it is next up on our early look at Liberty’s 2022 schedule. The Flames host Virginia Tech on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in what should be a record crowd at Williams Stadium.
WHO: Virginia Tech (6-7, 4-4 ACC)
WHEN: Nov. 19, TBD
WHERE: Williams Stadium (25,000)
SERIES: Tied 1-1
WHAT’S NEW: The Hokies haven’t been the same program since Frank Beamer retired. The Justin Fuente experiment was up and down but it is now over as Brent Pry has been named head coach. The former Penn State defensive coordinator will look to build his team through defense and special teams to begin with as Virginia Tech comes off the worst bowl loss in school history, falling to Maryland, 54-10.
WHO TO WATCH, OFFENSE: Wide receiver Jadan Blue has transferred to the school in Blacksburg after four successful seasons at Temple where he earned second-team all-AAC honors in 2019 with 95 receptions for 1,067 yards and four touchdowns. During his time at Temple, he had 169 catches for 1,672 yards and 10 touchdowns.
WHO TO WATCH, DEFENSE: Veteran Dax Hollifield has recorded 274 tackles, 10 sacks, 23.5 TFLs, four interceptions, four PBUs, and two forced fumbles over the past four seasons.
OUTLOOK: On paper, it looks like a rebuilding year for Virginia Tech and Coach Pry, particularly on offense, where the Hokies return just four starters. Quarterback Grant Wells transfers in from Marshall and is likely going to be the starter. He threw for 5,623 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions in two years with the Herd. Tech has several weapons at receiver, including Temple transfer Jadan Blue, that should make them have a solid passing game. Malachi Thomas is the top returning running back, as he had 440 yards and three touchdowns last season, but there are plenty of question marks on the offensive line with limited experience and depth.
Pry is a defensive-first coach, beginning his career under former VT defensive coordinator Bud Foster. He also helped lead Penn State to having one of the top defenses in the country during the majority of his tenure with the Nittany Lions. There’s enough depth and experience, particularly in the back half of the defense. The Tech defensive line could be somewhat of a question mark as the season progresses.
Everyone remembers Liberty’s first game as a top 25 team back in 2020 when the Flames shocked Virginia Tech behind Malik Willis and the leg of Alex Barbir. The Hokies now have to travel to Lynchburg as they seek some revenge from that loss a couple years ago.
MORE SNEAK PEEKS:
Sept. 3: @ Southern Miss
Sept. 10: UAB
Sept. 17: @ Wake Forest
Sept. 24: Akron
Oct. 1: @ Old Dominion
Oct. 8: @ UMass
Oct. 15: Gardner-Webb
Oct. 22: BYU
Nov. 5: @ Arkansas
Nov. 12: @ UConn
