Story line: The key question for Stanford as it prepares for its first ACC home game is the status of quarterback Ashton Daniels. He suffered a lower-body injury early in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s 40-14 loss at Clemson. On Tuesday, head coach Troy Taylor said Daniels’ recovery is a “day-to-day deal.” If Daniels can’t go, Justin Lamson — known mainly for his running ability — will get the start. … During the game, Stanford and the National Football Foundation will honor Toby Gerhart, the former running back who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December. Gerhart finished second to Alabama’s Mark Ingram in the 2009 Heisman Trophy balloting.
When Virginia Tech has the ball
• The Hokies are coming off a 38-34 loss at Miami on Sept. 27 in which a Kyron Drones Hail Mary pass on the final play originally was ruled a TD catch but then changed to an incompletion after a lengthy replay review. Listed at 6-foot-2, 234 pounds, Drones has thrown for 954 yards and six touchdowns and run for 261 yards and two scores this season.
• Virginia Tech’s main man on the ground is Bhayshul Tuten. He averages 6.2 yards per carry, ranks second in the ACC in rushing yards per game (106.4) and leads the conference in rushing TDs (eight).
• Stanford safety Jay Green was injured early in the Clemson game and will not play against the Hokies.
When Stanford has the ball
• When Daniels has been healthy, Lamson has been used mainly on short-yardage and goal-line plays. The transfer from Syracuse has attempted only nine passes this season, completing five for 56 yards and two TDs. Taylor said Lamson “gets half the reps in practice each day. (I’ve) got a lot of confidence in him. He knows the system well, so it will not affect play-calling at all” if Lamson starts.
• The Cardinal ground game has gotten a boost from freshman Micah Ford; in the past two games he has rushed for 169 yards on 23 carries. Another highly regarded freshman, wide receiver Emmett Mosley V, debuted against the Tigers and had seven receptions for 48 yards and a late touchdown. Taylor termed Ford and Mosley “two young guys that are gonna be terrific, and they’re just going to continue to get better.”
• Whoever the Cardinal QB is figures to be aware of Antwaun Powell-Ryland. The Hokies’ defensive lineman ranks third in the nation in sacks per game at 1.4.bolly4u