Hokies' Physicality and Defensive Adjustments Scuttle Pesky Pirates

After an opening quarter of unmitigated misery, the Hokies set a blistering three-quarter pace en route to 57 unanswered points and a 64-17 win over the struggling East Carolina Pirates. The Hokies' offensive and defensive lines dominated. Cam Phillips was unstoppable in a record-breaking performance. Josh Jackson displayed much more efficient decision making. The Hokies' defense got off to a rough start. After some personnel changes and adjustments in coverage, Bud Foster's group found their footing and contained East Carolina's dangerous receivers for the rest of the game. What has traditionally been a nightmarish matchup, even when the Hokies have been on the winning end, has become a tuneup for ACC competition.