Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from win over Duke in Week 9

By Connor Muldowney

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 28: Running back Deshawn McClease #33 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 28: Running back Deshawn McClease #33 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 28: Running back Deshawn McClease #33 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 28: Running back Deshawn McClease #33 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

2. Deshawn McClease is poised for a breakout

Heading into the 2017 season, the keys to the backfield were handed to junior running back Travon McMillan. He was the top running back on the team and the only one with true experience. He had rushed for 1,000 yards as a freshman before taking a step back and finishing with 671 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016.

McMillan has gotten off to a sluggish start to the season and that has opened the door for sophomore scatback Deshawn McClease. Despite just carrying the ball eight times for 27 yards in 2016, he has come out looking to prove something this season.

In fact, he matched his career carry total in the first game of the season, posting 51 yards and a touchdown in a win over West Virginia. Two games later, he had 55 yards on 11 carries in a win over East Carolina, but other than those two outings, he hasn’t really gotten a shot to compete.

On Saturday, with McMillan struggling again, McClease took the reigns and shined in a 24-3 win against Duke. He finished with 15 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown — a career game. Is this the start of something special?

Home/Virginia Tech Hokies