The No. 6 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies got off to a slow start on the road against Duke and struggled to 34-26 win.
The final score is not indicative of how close the game actually was. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Hokies only led 20-16, but Virginia Tech's depth eventually wore the Blue Devils down on both sides of the ball.
The Hokies scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to take a 34-19 lead, but the Blue Devils used a 14-play, 90-yard drive in the final two minutes to score a late touchdown to pull within a dozen, 34-26. The onside kick failed and the Hokies ran out the clock to secure a tougher-than-expected road win.
Tech junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor led the Hokies' offense with a career passing day, completing 17 of 22 passes for 327 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Redshirt sophomore running back Josh Oglesby also had a career day with two rushing touchdowns - his first of the season.
Duke second-year head coach David Cutcliffe made it known that the Blue Devils would try to stuff Tech's powerful running game led by redshirt freshman Ryan Williams, who averages 125 yards per game. The Devils did an excellent job in containing Tech's ground game for the first three quarters, limiting Williams - the ACC leading rusher - to just 84 yards and no scores. But the Blue Devils defensive unit was clearly tired by the fourth quarter and the Hokies started opening bigger holes and eventually allow Ogelsby to score twice.
“They were loading the box, bringing their linebackers up,” Taylor said. “They were rotating the safeties. Coach [Bryan Stinespring] did a good job of stretching the ball [down the field] instead of running the power. That open things up and we were able execute it. This builds confidence for our offense and for the passing game.”
Cutcliffe's plan was to force Tech's suspect passing game to step up if the Hokies wanted to beat Duke. Taylor and Tech's talented crop of wide receivers were up to the task and had a field day against Duke's soft secondary.
Sophomore split end Jarrett Boykin led the receiving corps with six catches for 144 yards and a touchdown reception. He is the first Hokie to have more than 100 receiving yards since Eddie Royal racked up 147 yards in a 33-21 win over UVA on Nov. 24, 2007.
Fellow sophomore (redshirt) Danny Coale had three receptions for 94 yards an a TD catch. Six different Hokie receivers caught passes from Taylor.
The 327 passing yards marks the first time a Tech quarterback has thrown for more than 200 yards since Sean Glennon threw for 260 against UVA on Nov. 24, 2007. It's the first time a Hokie QB has broken the 300-yard passing mark since Glennon accomplished the feat more than three years ago against Georgia Tech. Glennon threw for 339 yards in a 38-27 loss on Sept. 30, 2006.
The Hokies won for the fourth straight time and improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. The Blue Devils drop to 2-3 overall, 0-1 in the ACC.
Virginia Tech returns home next Saturday to host the Boston College Eagles. Kickoff is at noon and the game will be televised regionally by Raycom Sports.
More to come...
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