The Hokies just got bailed out on third-and-26. After quarterback Tyrod Taylor released a deep pass that fell incomplete, Hilee Taylor hit him late for a 15-yard roughing penalty and an automatic first down. Tech is driving, first down with the ball on the UNC 27 as we open the second quarter.
Tech's defense has been very solid thus far, Xavier Adibi in particular.
Tech forces a three-and-out on UNC's first possession, then wastes little time in marching 70 yards for the score. Tyrod Taylor takes it in from 5 yards out after scrambling away from trouble in the backfield on third-and-goal.
The big play was the first one: A reverse to Eddie Royal who took it 53 yards to the UNC 17. Just under five minutes elapsed here in the first quarter, 7-zip Hokies.
Does Frank Beamer know something we don't? He said this week that "cracks are coming" for running back Branden Ore, and folks who purchased the game day program today will find the Hokies' offensive line on the cover. Front and center: guard Sergio Render, who won't play in the first quarter because of disciplinary reasons.
Hmm....
Well, here it is at last. ACC play. For too long, the Hokies have been forced to watch their neighbors up in Charlottesville pile up the league wins, and now it's their chance to get on the board against 1-3 North Carolina.
I really think the rest of the season sets up very well for Tech. It's reminiscent of 2004, when the Hokies lost their opener to USC and immediately had to adjust their goals accordingly, making an ACC championship the top aspiration. If they can make some strides offensive this week, even a loss next Saturday in Clemson would be OK. They'd still have to feel good about their chances in the Coastal Division.
It's 60 degrees, cloudless and downright beautiful here at the stadium. The Vegas line is holding steady at Tech by 19. We've got three reporters here today, so stay tuned for blog updates throughout the afternoon.
Where’s all the Brett Favre retirement talk? Amazing what 3-0 and tying the career touchdown passes record will do. An aging Favre is still better than most of the quarterbacks in the NFL. It was good to see Favre’s smile at the end of Sunday’s come-from-behind win over San Diego. Other than the gray in his sideburns, he didn’t look like a man who needs to retire. Hey Brett, play till you're 40.
This seems to be the month to remember Temple’s 1998 football upset of then-No. 14 Virginia Tech. When Appalachian State upset Michigan, some in the media said it replaced the Temple win as the biggest upset in college football history. When my alma mater, Syracuse, won at then-No. 18 Louisville on Saturday, the announcers doing the game on TV said it might top the Temple win in Blacksburg as the biggest upset in Big East history. Syracuse was a 36½-point underdog, while Temple was a 35-point underdog. Of course, to have your alma mater compared to Temple in football is no great source of pride, but this season has been so dreadful for my Orange, I’ll take it. — Mark Berman
Georgia Tech uses its final timeout with Virginia facing a third-and-8 with 2:46 left.
Sewell fumbles while avoiding sackers. UVa has to punt from 37. Chris Gould comes in.
Cavs can't cover the punt. GT has a 17-yard return to the 35, then Jackets are called for holding on back-to-back plays. Cavs decline the second one. After an incompletion, it's third-and-20 from the 25 with 1:33 left.
Perfect throw to Demaryius Thomas within sight of the first down but he drops it.
Offensive pass interference on GT and it's over.
Cavs kill the clock. GT can't stop it.
Georgia Tech facing fourth-and-1 from the UVa 16 following a 13-yard scramble by QB Taylor Bennett, seemingly hemmed in in the backfield. Collison between Virginia DE Jeffrey Fitzgerald and GT wide receiver Correy Earls has left Earls motionless with 4:46 left. They've got a board on the field and a stretcher, reminiscent of a collision with UVa's Nate Lyles on the same field and with the same teams as two years ago. Looks like play will be out for at least 10 minutes when they're done attending to Earls. Cavs lead 28-23 with 4:46 left.
Earls is rolled out. He's not moving but he might be strapped in. Plays's back in.
GT called for motion.RT Now it's fourth-and-6. They're going for it. Chris Long sacks Bennett. Cavs' ball.
Jameel Sewell connects with walk-on Staton Jobe for a 26-yard touchdown connection with 8:56 left as Virginia retakes the lead 28-23. The one-play touchdown drives follows a fumble by Georgia Tech punt returner Andrew Smith, who is hit by Aaron Clark. Redshirt freshman Trey Womack recovers for the Cavaliers.
UVa's defense has given up a total of three first downs in three second-half possessions but two have resulted in GT field goal, the second a career-long 51-yarder by Travis Bell to put the Yellow Jackets on top 23-21 with 4:22 left in the third. True feshman Peter Lalich is in the game at quarterback, the third time he has relieved Jameel Sewell. Cavaliers' offense and poor punt coverage has given GT great field position.
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