Chris Rumph II on Virginia Tech: "This year we’re coming back for vengeance"

Sophomore defensive end Chris Rumph II currently leads Duke in tackles for loss (4.5) and quarterback hits (4) and is tied for the team lead with two sacks.

That’s all despite being one of the smaller defensive ends in the league.

“I just play to my quickness,” he said. “Play to my speed. Don’t let them control the tempo of the game.”

He knows he’ll need to bulk up eventually if he wants to stay at end.

“Of course I need to get bigger,” he said. “I’m a 225-pound defensive end in the ACC. I’ve got to put on a couple pounds. But right now, I’m just going to play to my speed.”

He’s moved to linebacker at times to help defend the run. Is a permanent move in his future?

“I’m going to let the coaches handle that one,” he said.

Rumph remembers Duke’s 31 home loss to Virginia Tech—Friday night’s opponent—last season at Wallace Wade, Duke’s third straight loss in the series.

“I think they out-competed us for four quarters,” he said. “This year, we’re coming back for vengeance.”

The key to stopping the Hokies’ offense is on the ground.

“The run game,” he said. “They’ve got v good run game. (Quarterback) Ryan Willis does a great job managing the game. So if we can stop the run and rattle him, at the end of the day, we’re going to come out with the W.”

Rumph also thinks last week’s off-date helped the team.

“Any time we get a break, we’re going to enjoy that,” he said. “The whole team is fresh and ready to go.”