Virginia Tech Comes From Behind to Defeat Georgia Tech

Virginia Tech kicker Cody Journell nailed a field goal at the end of regulation and in overtime to seal the Hokies' victory. (Geoff Burke)

Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech have dominated the ACC Coastal Division in recent years. In fact, the winner of their matchup has gone on to win the division and earned the spot in the ACC Championship Game each of the past seven seasons. With the Hokies hosting the Yellow Jackets in the very first week of the season, there was added incentive to get the season off on the right foot.

The air was electric at Lane Stadium as the game got under way. For the first three quarters, it looked like points were going to be a scarcity with the both defenses playing well. Midway through the first quarter, Virginia Tech finally made it into the red zone. On 2nd and goal, Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas went play-action pass and hooked up with senior tight end Eric Martin in the back of the end zone. Just like that, the Hokies were up 7-0.

Georgia Tech got a gift from Virginia Tech not long after. Set up in punt formation, Hokies freshman punter A.J. Hughes let a snap go through his hands and had to scramble to land on it 22 yards back. This meant Georgia Tech started out at the Hokies 24 yard line. On their third run play, Yellow Jackets tailback Robert Godhigh burst around the left side of the line, broke several tackles, and walked into the endzone. The score remained 7-7 at halftime. In fact, the score remained unchanged heading into the fourth quarter.

Three seconds into the quarter, Georgia Tech broke the deadlock on a 34-yard field goal by kicker David Scully. Virginia Tech answered with a big play by two of their offensive stars. Thomas threw deep into the endzone and connected with speedy wide receiver Demitri Knowles for the 42-yard touchdown strike. Trailing 14-10 late in the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets run-heavy offense had to change their approach.

The Georgia Tech drive stalled around midfield, setting up a fourth-and-six to go. With three minutes to go in the game, the Yellow Jackets elected to go for it. Senior quarterback Tevin Washington rolled to his right and avoided the sack. His elusive move gave his receivers time to get open down field. Washington spotted a narrow opening down the sideline. He zipped in a pass that was caught by sophomore B.J. Bostic for a 19-yard gain that kept the drive alive.

The Yellow Jackets drive continued into the red zone. On 2nd and goal, Washington found sophomore Deon Hill with open space. Hill caught the pass, ran a few yards, and dove into the endzone. The Blacksburg faithful was stunned. Their Hokies trailed 17-14 with just 44 seconds left to play in the final quarter. But as the old adage puts it, it ain't over until the fat lady sings.

Thomas and the Virginia Tech offense didn't hear any music. They were focused on the task set before them. Thomas came up with two big passing plays, 22 and 23 yards respectively, to senior wide receiver Corey Fuller. With six seconds left on the clock, Hokies kicker Cody Journell trotted out for a 41-yard attempt. Journell was clutch as his kick split the uprights to send this battle into overtime.

In overtime, Georgia Tech got the ball first. On their first play, Washington passed the ball to Godhigh for an 11-yard gain and a first down. Washington then rushed twice for four yards and zero yards to set up 3rd-and-six for the Yellow Jackets. Washington dropped back to pass, but was immeadiately under pressure. He panicked and threw the ball right into the hands of Hokies cornerback Kyle Fuller for the huge interception.

This meant that all Virginia Tech need in their overtime possession was a field goal to win. On their first play, Thomas handed the ball off to freshman tailback Michael Holmes who rushed for a six-yard gain. Holmes got the carry again on second down. This time, he burst up the middle and carried tacklers all the way to the Georgia Tech one yard line. Thomas tried to rush it into the endzone three times, but the Yellow Jackets defense stood their ground.

This meant Journell had to come out for the game-winning field goal attempt. Despite it being a simple kick, Georgia Tech called a timeout to try and ice him. It didn't make a difference as Journell's kick went straight through the uprights to lift the Hokies past the Yellow Jackets 20-17. The game was hard fought by both sides. Georgia Tech will undoubtebly be disappointed, as it was a game they should have won. As the Hokies often seem to do at home, they found a way to win it in the end. This means that Virginia Tech is the frontrunner to win the ACC Coastal Division. Georgia Tech and the rest of the division have their work cut out for them to catch the Hokies.