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Virginia Tech scores late TD to steal win from Nebraska
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Virginia Tech freshman running back Ryan Williams celebrates a TD against Nebraska, his sixth of the season. Photo courtesy Gary Cope, VTHokiefans.com
Blacksburg, VA -- Tyrod Taylor and the Virginia Tech Hokies' offense struggled the entire game, but when they needed it most, Taylor completed a pair of difficult passes, the second of which won the game for the 13th ranked Hokies.
Heartbreaking doesn't begin to describe the loss for the No. 19 Nebraska Cornhuskers. They had the game won, leading 15-10 with less than two minutes to play and the Hokies with no timeouts.
The Huskers' defense, led by All Big 12 defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, had held the Hokies to less than 200 yards of offense and hadn't given up a single second-half point. In fact, until the final drive by Virginia Tech, the Hokies had managed only 57 yards total offense. Nebraska fans were ready to leave Blacksburg with a win. But Tyrod Taylor and Danny Coale had other plans.
Facing a 2nd and 6 on their own 16 yard line with time running out and no timeouts, Taylor danced in the pocket looking for an open receiver. Then, he stepped up with purpose and delivered a perfect pass down the right sideline to a streaking and wide open Coale, who sprinted 81 yards before being tripped up by Nebraska safety Matt O'Hanlon at the three yard line.
Hokie fans were going crazy, but on 1st and goal from the three, Taylor's protection collapsed immediately after the snap and he took an eight-yard sack, giving Tech a 2nd and goal from the 11 yard line. On second down, Taylor was forced out of the pocket and scrambled to the near sideline where he threw a pass out of the back of the end zone. This set up a 3rd and goal with :33 seconds left in the game.
Taylor rolled left on a designed play, then when he couldn't find an open receiver, he rolled back right, frantically pointing his receivers to open spots in the endzone, then, with Suh clinging to his back, Taylor fired a pass to Dyrell Roberts who made the catch with a Husker draped all over him.
Lane Stadium errupted into a wild celebration. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini removed his headset calmly and then threw it in disgust over the heads of several players.
Nebraska still had time to attempt a miracle comeback of their own, but quarterback Zac Lee threw a Hail Mary pass deep in to Tech territory, but Rashad Carmichael intercepted the pass and ran the clock down to zero before falling down to end the game and seal one of, if not the most dramatic wins ever in Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.
The Hokies only other touchdown of the game came on the first offensive possession of the game after a 76-yard opening kickoff return by Roberts. Ryan Williams rushed over the right end for a 1-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Virginia Tech lead.
Tech's defense didn't give up a touchdown. Once again, Bud Foster's bend-but-don't-break defense did not allow a touchdown and instead held the Huskers to five field goals.
The Hokies (2-1) complete a series sweep of Nebraska, having beat the Huskers 35-30 last season in Lincoln.
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