Virginia Tech football preview: Hokies turn attention to takeaways

Virginia Tech needs more takeaways to improve their fortunes. The Hokies are 2-5 and have forced just 5 turnovers. They are 13.5-point underdogs against N.C. State on Thursday night. Duke upset Miami last Saturday with the help of 8 takeaway. The team has been focusing on its punt-return game. It has practiced it with defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs. Norell Pollard says the team needs to be more ball-aware. Tech lost to Miami 20-14 two weeks ago. In their home loss to the Dolphins, the Hokie had an average starting field position of 19-yard line.