Virginia Tech QB Josh Jackson has broken fibula, out indefinitely

Sam Cooper
·College football writer

Virginia Tech lost more than just the game on Saturday.

On the heels of an upset loss to previously winless Old Dominion, Hokies coach Justin Fuente announced Monday that quarterback Josh Jackson suffered a fractured left fibula against the Monarchs. Jackson, a redshirt sophomore in his second year as the team’s starting quarterback, will have surgery on Tuesday.

A timetable for Jackson’s return to the field has not been established, Fuente said. The coach acknowledged that the injury could be season-ending.

Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson is helped off the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Old Dominion, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Norfolk, Va. Old Dominion won 49-35. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)
Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson is helped off the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Old Dominion, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Norfolk, Va. Old Dominion won 49-35. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld)

Virginia Tech will turn to Ryan Willis at QB

Jackson was injured early in the fourth quarter on Saturday. At that point, the Hokies inserted Ryan Willis, a transfer from Kansas, into the lineup with the game tied at 28-28. After Willis came in, the Hokies punted and Old Dominion took its first lead of the game, 35-28, on the ensuing drive.

Willis led a scoring drive on the next series, tying things up with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cunningham on fourth down. Old Dominion went back in front on the next drive, and Virginia Tech just could not keep pace.

It was Willis’ second appearance as a Hokie, but he saw plenty of action during his time at Kansas. Willis sat out the 2017 season after transferring but was Kansas’ primary starter in 2015 and split time with two others in 2016. In 16 games (10 starts) with the Jayhawks, Willis threw for 2,530 yards, 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Virginia Tech also has redshirt freshman Hendon Hooker and true freshman Quincy Patterson on the roster.

The Hokies dropped from No. 13 to unranked

Old Dominion was a 29-point underdog on Saturday, meaning it pulled off the biggest upset of the season thus far. The loss was Virginia Tech’s first of the season, and it dropped from No. 13 to unranked as a result.

Next on the schedule is a trip to Duke. The Blue Devils are 4-0 and ranked No. 22 in the country.

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