DURHAM, N.C. -- When Virginia Tech was feeling so good about itself a few weeks ago, the Hokies didnt have the proper response.Theyre working toward a better outcome this time going into Saturdays game at Duke coming off a pair of victories that put them in the drivers seat in the Atlantic Coast Conferences Coastal Division.We have a pretty good reference point for ourselves, Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. The last time everyone was patting us on the back, we went up to Syracuse and got smacked around.Thats the only blemish on Virginia Techs conference ledger, and if the No. 23 Hokies (6-2 overall, 4-1 ACC) win out theyll land in the ACC championship game. Theyre tied with North Carolina, but hold the tiebreaker based on their victory against the Tar Heels.Duke (3-5, 0-4) is in a different situation as the lone ACC team without a conference victory. The Blue Devils face an uphill climb to move into the bowl mix for the fifth year in a row.Everyone understands we have to win a few games to go to a bowl, Duke defensive tackle A.J. Wolf said.Virginia Tech posted consecutive Thursday night victories against Miami and Pittsburgh since the upset defeat at Syracuse. That loss came after the road triumph at North Carolina, so the Hokies are wary of avoiding a letdown this time.We had this happen to us before and lets learn from this, said receiver Isaiah Ford, whos the schools career leader with 23 touchdown receptions.Virginia Tech used a strong passing attack in its past two games, though coach Justin Fuente said that has come in part because of the way opponents chose to defend the Hokies. Despite a largely veteran secondary, Duke has been hurt by teams making downfield plays in passing attacks.Perhaps most perplexing for the Virginia Tech offense has been stalling too often in the red zone. That led to Joey Slyes six field goals at Pittsburgh, tying an ACC and school record.In retrospect, we should be taking a couple more (shots to the end zone), Fuente said. Each week is different in terms of how you try to throw the ball.Fuente is in his first season at Virginia Tech, but Dukes coaching staff is familiar with him from when his Memphis team took on the Blue Devils.A year ago, Duke pulled out a four-overtime, 45-43 road victory against Virginia Tech. In that game, tight end Erich Schneiders touchdown grab led to the winning two-point conversion.That was definitely the most exciting moment as an individual in my career, Schneider said.Duke redshirt freshman quarterback Daniel Jones is fresh off a performance at Georgia Tech that resulted in ACC Rookie of the Week honors despite the loss. He threw for 305 yards and gained a personal-best 73 rushing yards.Even in defeat, you can see hes getting better, Duke coach David Cutcliffe said.This marks Virginia Techs final conference road game, with home games against Georgia Tech and Virginia surrounding a non-league visit to Notre Dame.Fuente gushed about how Virginia Tech fans have supported the Hokies on the road. There could be quite a scene in Dukes Wallace Wade Stadium, with Duke even advertising in Virginia Techs market that it has available tickets.Every game is a home game when you play for Virginia Tech, Ford said.Fuente said he doesnt want to become consumed with the Coastal Division race before a November game has been played. He said several teams have a chance to influence the divisions outcome.I dont think anybody is very far ahead of anybody else, Fuente said.Of Dukes four permanent captains, Wolf is the only one still playing because of season-ending injuries to quarterback Thomas Sirk, safety/return specialist DeVon Edwards and running back Jela Duncan. Duncans injury occurred last Saturday in the loss at Georgia Tech, leaving the Blue Devils without their top rusher.Junior Shaun Wilson moves into the role as the lead tailback.We have Shaun and a stable behind him, said Cutcliffe, whose team is 4-6 in its last 10 games against nationally ranked foes.The last three games between Duke and Virginia Tech have been decided by a total of six points. The Hokies lead the all-time series 14-9.Duke will wear commemorative Battleship Grey matte helmets to celebrate hosting the Rose Bowl against Oregon State 75 seasons ago during World War II, when the bowl was held outside of Pasadena, Calif., for the only time. 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Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers forward Deshawn Freeman and coach Steve Pikiell had some discussions about Freemans zero-rebound effort against Niagara, and whatever was said made a difference.Freeman followed up with 13 points and a career-high 15 rebounds as Rutgers defeated North Texas 66-53 in the Scarlet Knight Showcase on Wednesday night.I had no energy (against Niagara), said Freeman, who got his third double-double of the season. Grabbing rebounds gives me a lot of energy.Nigel Johnson and Mike Williams had 10 points each as the Scarlet Knights moved to 5-0 for the first time since 2000-01.Shane Temara had a career-high 16 points for the Mean Green (1-3), who lost their third straight. Deckie Johnson added 13 points and seven rebounds. North Texas played without second-leading scorer Jeremy Combs, who was resting a sore ankle.Trailing 25-24, Rutgers scored seven straight to start the second half and take the lead for good. Leading 43-40, the Scarlet Knights put it away with an 18-2 run to go up 61-42 with 2:52 remaining.The win was keyed by a hard-nosed defensive effort, which Pikiell preaches.I know you would say this game was a little bit ugly but I think it was beautiful, Pikiell said. We couldnt score and it didnt matter.North Texas coach Tony Benford liked how his team hung tough while playing short-handed.I thought we played hard, he said. We are down five scholarship guys. When we get our whole team back, we will be very competitive.BIG PICTURENorth Texas: The Mean Green allowed a season-low in points by holding Rutgers to 36.5 percent shooting (23 of 63), but only shot 33.3 percent (19 of 57) and were outrebounded 53-38. We wanted tto do everything we could to control tempo and stay in the game, Benford said.dddddddddddd I thought we did that early on, but we couldnt keep them off the glass.Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have not defeated a team with a winning record yet, but their best start in 16 years earned them one vote in the AP poll. Rutgers has not been ranked since it finished No. 18 in the final poll of 1978-79. We dont talk about that, we talk about the team were playing and what we need to do, Pikiell said. People look at records, I look at tape. Rutgers entered the game among the national leaders in offensive rebounding (fifth, 18.25), rebounding margin (seventh, 18.5), and total rebounds (ninth, 48.5).GOOD AND BADThe 66 points tied a season-low for Rutgers and the 53 were the least it allowed this season.UGLY OFFENSERutgers made its first 3-pointer then missed 13 straight and finished 3 for 20 from behind the arc. North Texas had eight shots blocked, including five by Candido Sa.PLEASED TO MEET YOUThis was the first meeting between the two schools, and it left North Texas 1-10 against Big Ten competition.PIKIELL PERFECTAt 5-0, Pikiell continued to add to the best start for a Scarlet Knights coach beginning his tenure.UP NEXTNorth Texas: The Mean Green hosts Niagara on Friday to kick off a five-game homestand. North Texas plays nine of its first 12 games at home.Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights host Hartford Friday, and will attempt to go 6-0 for the first time since 1975-76, when the schools lone Final Four team won its first 31 games. China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '