Williams and Alleyne to miss time

VT head coach Justin Fuente announced at his late-week press conference that two Hokies will miss time early in this season due to internal team matters. Redshirt sophomore Marshawn Williams will miss the first two games of the year, against Liberty this Saturday and Tennessee the following week.

"Marshawn Williams has got a hurdle that he’s going to have to overcome that quite honestly pre-dates my time here," Fuente explained. "He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and it’s not a behavioral issue but he’s going to miss the first two weeks."

Williams played as a true freshman - starting eight of the nine games in which he saw action - rushing 124 times for 475 yards (3.8 per carry) with four touchdowns, and adding 18 yards on four receptions (4.5 per reception). He redshirted last year after suffering an injury prior to the season.

Sophomore free safety Jahque Alleyne will sit the first four games, adding home contests against Boston College and East Carolina to those that Fuente announced Williams will be missing.

"And then Jahque Alleyne has got a similar situation but he’s going to miss four games," Fuente said. "I just wanted to get that out."

Alleyne played in 12 games, primarily on special teams. He notched four total tackles for the year.

That duo adds to the personnel who will be missing for the first game, for which defensive end Houshun Gaines and defensive back/linebacker Adonis Alexander are already suspended for an off-season incident.