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The Hokies go shipping up to Washington, D.C. this weekend for their final non-conference game of the season. They face Cincinnati in FedEx Field, and the Hokies hope a rejuvenated ground game will lead the team to victory.
The Hokies ran for a season-high 246 yards in their 37-0 shutout of Bowling Green on Saturday. And running begins with a single step, which the offense took against the Falcons.
"Overall we played with better effort, which we've always, I think, done,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. “Execution-wise was better, for the most part. There were still some inconsistencies. I think we took a step. It's a matter of taking another step this week and being better this week. And we're going to have to hang with this football team."
Virginia Tech's date with Cincinnati this week will be the Hokies' 31st game in an NFL stadium under Coach Beamer. But they're just 10-20 in the previous 30, including a season-opening loss to Boise State in D.C. two years ago.
"I think it's just coincidence. I don't think your game-style should change anywhere you go,” Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas said. “Football is football. It doesn't matter if you're playing on a practice field or an NFL stadium. I couldn't tell you what the reason was. Guess it's just not good days for us in NFL stadiums."
Hokies linebacker Antone Exum said, "It was kind of tough the way we lost it to Boise State. But it was a good atmosphere; it was exciting to be there. Especially with the Redskins playing at that stadium. Whenever you get to play in a NFL stadium it's a good opportunity. Not everybody gets to do that."
Beamer added, "I'm just very hopeful that we'll have a great turnout up there. We need their help. Trust me, against this crowd right here we need all the help we can get."
Just under 40,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday's date against the Bearcats inside 85,000-seat FedEx Field.