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WVU |
VATECH |
No. 21 Virginia Tech beats No. 22 West Virginia 31-24
LANDOVER, Maryland (AP) Virginia Tech made FedEx Field feel like Lane Stadium Northeast and got to bring that Black Diamond Trophy back to Blacksburg for the first time in more than a decade.
Oh, and the Hokies' new quarterback looks like a keeper, too.
Josh Jackson passed for 235 yards, ran for 101 and accounted for two touchdowns in his first start for Virginia Tech, and the No. 21 Hokies made a last-second stand to beat No. 22 West Virginia 31-24 on Sunday night.
The 52nd meeting between the Appalachian region rivals was the first since 2005. It ended up being a classic. The Hokies rushed the field after their defense held the Mountaineers out of the end zone on two last plays from the 15, and their fans screamed along to Metallica's ''Enter Sandman'' to celebrate.
''This was a fantastic win,'' Virginia Tech safety Terrell Edmunds said with a huge grin.
Jackson, the redshirt freshman who won a three-way competition for the job, was up and down with his passing, but showed off some nifty moves running in the opener for both teams.
''I felt calm,'' said Jackson, the son of former longtime Michigan assistant coach Fred Jackson.
Josh Jackson's 46-yard keeper up the middle - which ended with him taking a hard low hit - set up Travon McMillian's 3-yard touchdown run that put Virginia Tech up 31-24 with 6:30 left.
''I felt that one pretty good,'' Jackson said about the hit.
Jackson said he read a blitz on that play and the Mountaineers gave him all kinds of room inside.
''That was a bad, bad call by me,'' West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said.
West Virginia's new quarterback was just as impressive. Florida transfer Will Grier, who left Gainesville after being suspended by the NCAA for failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs in 2015, pass for 371 yards and three touchdowns.
He got one more chance to tie after usually reliable Virginia Tech kicker Joey Slye missed a 32-yard field-goal attempt with 1:55 left.
Grier slinged and scrambled West Virginia down to the Virginia Tech 15. Hokies coach Justin Fuente used a timeout before the last two plays because he was worried his defense was getting gassed chasing the shaggy-haired quarterback.
''You just want them to hold on for one more,'' Fuente said.
Grier's second-to-last pass into the end zone under pressure was a little behind David Sills and it went through the falling receiver's arms.
"I thought I had him,'' Grier said. ''I got hit and I couldn't see. I thought he caught it. That's the one I'd like to have back to get it up more for him.''
It was a tough ball to catch, but Sills wasn't hearing that.
''I just got to make that play,'' he said. ''That's really all it comes down to.''
Grier's last throw sailed high and away, but a couple of penalties on the West Virginia offensive line made it moot.
THE TAKEAWAY
West Virginia: Along with breaking in Grier, West Virginia is looking to find him some reliable targets from an inexperienced bunch. Sills (nine catches, 94 yards and two touchdowns), the former quarterback prodigy-turned-receiver, and Gary Jennings Jr. (13 for 189 and a 60-yard touchdown that tied it at 24 early in the fourth quarter) looked good against a Virginia Tech secondary that ranks among the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies are going with a committee of running backs and 190-pound sophomore Deshawn McClease made a case to be in the mix along with Steve Peoples and Travon McMillian. McClease slipped three tackles on the way to a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He finished with 51 yards on eight carries.
T'D UP
West Virginia Coach Dana Holgorsen drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the third quarter that helped push the Mountaineers out field-goal range. Holgorsen was set off by a late hit penalty on a long kickoff return by Virginia Tech moments earlier. Then on a third-and-1 at the Virginia Tech 23, West Virginia was flagged for holding. Holgorsen objected again and it cost his team another 15 on top of the 10 for holding. The NCAA rules committee made it a point of emphasis this season to rein in arguing coaches.
Another unsportsmanlike was called later on an unidentified Virginia Tech assistant coach.
UP NEXT
West Virginia: The Mountaineers return home to take on East Carolina in Morgantown.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies face FCS opponent Delaware next week before traveling to East Carolina on Sept. 16.
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Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP
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More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
W. GrierĀ
7 QB
|
W. Grier | 31/53 | 371 | 3 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. CrawfordĀ
25 RB
|
J. Crawford | 13 | 106 | 0 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. GrierĀ
7 QB
|
W. Grier | 11 | 52 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. McKoyĀ
4 RB
|
K. McKoy | 8 | 50 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. PettawayĀ
32 RB
|
M. Pettaway | 2 | 19 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. BushĀ
14 RB
|
T. Bush | 1 | -6 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
G. JenningsĀ
12 WR
|
G. Jennings | 0 | 13 | 189 | 1 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Sills VĀ
13 WR
|
D. Sills V | 0 | 9 | 94 | 2 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ka. WhiteĀ
2 WR
|
Ka. White | 0 | 4 | 74 | 0 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Roberson Jr.Ā
10 WR
|
R. Roberson Jr. | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. BushĀ
14 RB
|
T. Bush | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. McKoyĀ
4 RB
|
K. McKoy | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. CrawfordĀ
25 RB
|
J. Crawford | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
H. BaileyĀ
24 CB
|
H. Bailey | 8-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ky. WhiteĀ
8 S
|
Ky. White | 8-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. AveryĀ
16 S
|
T. Avery | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DanielsĀ
4 CB
|
M. Daniels | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. DonahueĀ
46 DL
|
R. Donahue | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Askew-HenryĀ
6 S
|
D. Askew-Henry | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BentonĀ
3 LB
|
A. Benton | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. TonkeryĀ
10 LB
|
D. Tonkery | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Shuler IIĀ
88 DL
|
A. Shuler II | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. PrestonĀ
5 LB
|
X. Preston | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. McDougleĀ
49 DL
|
L. McDougle | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. BattleĀ
19 CB
|
E. Battle | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. RoseĀ
91 DL
|
E. Rose | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. QuallsĀ
33 LB
|
Q. Qualls | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LewisĀ
92 DL
|
J. Lewis | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. MolinaĀ
48 K
|
M. Molina | 1/1 | 34 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. KinneyĀ
15 K
|
B. Kinney | 9 | 36.0 | 2 | 46 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. BushĀ 14 RB
|
T. Bush | 1 | -3.0 | -3 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. JacksonĀ
17 QB
|
J. Jackson | 15/26 | 235 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. PhillipsĀ
5 WR
|
C. Phillips | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. JacksonĀ
17 QB
|
J. Jackson | 11 | 101 | 1 | 46 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. McCleaseĀ
33 RB
|
D. McClease | 8 | 51 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. PeoplesĀ
32 RB
|
S. Peoples | 13 | 39 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McMillianĀ
34 RB
|
T. McMillian | 9 | 34 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. SavoyĀ
15 WR
|
S. Savoy | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ClarkĀ
89 WR
|
J. Clark | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
C. PhillipsĀ
5 WR
|
C. Phillips | 0 | 7 | 138 | 1 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. SavoyĀ
15 WR
|
S. Savoy | 0 | 4 | 42 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. CunninghamĀ
85 TE
|
C. Cunningham | 0 | 1 | 39 | 0 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. CarrollĀ
86 WR
|
C. Carroll | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. McMillianĀ
34 RB
|
T. McMillian | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. KumahĀ
83 WR
|
E. Kumah | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
A. MotuapuakaĀ
54 LB
|
A. Motuapuaka | 11-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. AlexanderĀ
36 CB
|
A. Alexander | 9-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Te. EdmundsĀ
22 S
|
Te. Edmunds | 8-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. DeabloĀ
17 DB
|
D. Deablo | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ReynoldsĀ
6 DB
|
M. Reynolds | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. FloydĀ
21 S
|
R. Floyd | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. HillĀ
94 DE
|
T. Hill | 4-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tr. EdmundsĀ
49 LB
|
Tr. Edmunds | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SettleĀ
4 DT
|
T. Settle | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. GainesĀ
11 DE
|
H. Gaines | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. WalkerĀ
8 DT
|
R. Walker | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. StromanĀ
3 CB
|
G. Stroman | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. MihotaĀ
99 DE
|
V. Mihota | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ShegogĀ
24 LB
|
A. Shegog | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. SlyeĀ
46 K
|
J. Slye | 1/3 | 25 | 4/4 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
O. BradburnĀ
91 P
|
O. Bradburn | 8 | 46.5 | 3 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. ClarkĀ
89 WR
|
J. Clark | 3 | 31.0 | 44 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
G. StromanĀ 3 CB
|
G. Stroman | 1 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 |