Virginia Tech faces Maryland for first time since 2013
BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football prepares for its first-ever appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl as the Hokies will take on Maryland at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 29 at 2:15 p.m. ET. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
The last time the Hokies (6-6, 4-4 ACC) and Terrapins (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten) faced off on the gridiron was an ACC matchup during the 2013 season. Maryland won a 27-24 overtime game at Lane Stadium, snapping a five-game winning streak for Tech over the Terps. During that five-game Hokies’ winning streak, which began in 1993 with the fifth win coming in 2009, Tech outscored Maryland 197-65. The streak included a 55-6 victory in Blacksburg on Nov. 18, 2004.
Tech is bowl eligible for the 29th consecutive season and will play in their 34th bowl game all-time when they take the field at Yankee Stadium. The Hokies’ last played in the 2019 Belk Bowl vs. Kentucky, which the Wildcats 38-31 on the final play of the game. Tech’s last bowl victory came in the 2016 Belk Bowl after coming back from a 24-0 halftime deficit to win 35-24.
The Hokies have been offensively led this season by RB Raheem Blackshear, who leads the team in rushing with 121 carries for 714 yards with six touchdowns. The redshirt junior earned ACC Running Back of the Week honors twice in the final three weeks of the season after 100-yard rushing performances vs. Duke on Nov. 13 and at Virginia on Nov. 29.
Defensively, LB Dax Hollifield leads the squad in tackles (88), tackles for loss (9.0) and sacks (4.5). CBs Armani Chatman (seven) and Dorian Strong (six) rank first and second on the defense in pass breakups.
The Terrapins are led by QB Taulia Tagovailoa who has thrown for 3,595 yards with 24 touchdowns this season. RB Tayon Fleet-Davis leads Maryland in rushing with 664 yards and eight touchdowns while WR Rakim Jarrett leads the team in receiving yards with 769 and five touchdowns. On the defensive side, DB Jordan Mosley racked up a team-high 77 tackles and DL Sam Okuayinonu led the team in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (6.0).
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Wednesday, December 29 – 2:15 p.m. ET
Yankee Stadium; The Bronx, N.Y.
vs. Maryland (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Mike Locksley (3rd season)
Record at Maryland: 11-18 Career: 14-51 (6th season)
Series: Maryland leads 15-16
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
TV Broadcast
ESPN
Play-by-Play: Matt Barrie
Analyst: Tim Hasselbeck
Sideline: Sam Acho
National Radio
ESPN Radio
Play-by-Play: Chris Carlin
Analyst: Jack Ford
Sideline: Abby Labar
Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Jon Laaser
Analyst: Mike Burnop
Sideline: Wes McElroy
Virginia Tech Game Notes: CLICK HERE (PDF)
Maryland Game Notes: CLICK HERE (PDF)
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