| #2 Virginia Tech 35
|
| | #22 West Virginia 30
|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| T | VA Tech (6-0)
| 3 | 24
| 5
| 3
|
| 35
|
| Final | WVU (4-2)
| 7
| 7
| 10
| 6
|
| 30
|
| October 2nd, 2010
Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
|
Morgantown, WV (AP) - The 22nd-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2, 1-1 SEC) gave the #2 Virginia Tech Hokies (6-0, 2-0 ACC) all they could handle this afternoon, but fell short in the end. The Hokies kept their undefeated season alive while West Virginia made sure its stay in the top 25 would be short as they will likely be bumped out this Sunday.
The Hokies were dominant in the first half. Fortunately for the Mountaineers, Tavon Austin returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to thwart Virginia Tech's momentum after Virginia Tech went up 20-7 late in the second half. Nonetheless, Younger would punch the ball in from two yards out less than two minutes later for the Hokies as Virginia Tech led 27-14 at halftime.
A safety on a disastrous play early in the second half would further complicate things. The undisciplined play by Geno Smith would not only result in a 29-14 Virginia Tech lead, but would also result in the sophomore quarterback being knocked out of the game. True freshman Barry Brunetti would have to enter the game.
Virginia Tech took the safety punt and drove the ball into field goal range, kicking a field goal to go up 32-14. But two Mountaineer scores in the final three-and-a-half minutes would cut the lead to 32-24 as the fourth quarter began.
Hazley would nail a 41-yard field goal for the Hokies early in the fourth quarter to give the Hokies a two-score lead at 35-24, but Ryan Clarke's one-yard touchdown run with 4:34 to go cut the lead to 35-30. The extra point was missed, but the game was still down to one score.
The Hokies were forced to punt on their ensuing drive, giving the Mountaineers a chance at a winning touchdown drive with three minutes remaining against the #2 team in the country. The Mountaineers found initial success, moving the ball inside the Virginia Tech 40 yard line. Unfortunately, Barry Brunetti made a huge mistake as he overthew his intended receiver, resulting in a pick by Rashad Carmichael. The game was over as the Hokies would win 35-30.
"Our guys played a tremendous game of football today," said head coach Bill Stewart. "We showed a lot of hustle out there. We didn't give up when we fell behind 32-14. Unfortunately, we couldn't quite pull off the win, but we'll take this as a lesson and move on."
When asked about Geno Smith's injury, Stewart said that Smith is expected to miss the next three to four weeks. In the meantime, freshman Barry Brunetti will fill in at quarterback.
Ryan Williams had a fantastic game for the Hokies. The sophomore ran for 238 yards and a touchdown on only 22 carries, a 10.8 yards per carry average. His backup, Darren Evans, added 52 more rushing yards as the two runners ran circles around the West Virginia defense all day long.
Noel Devine also had a huge game for the Mountaineers, rushing for 165 yards on only 12 carries. In addition, he caught two passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, including an 85-yard screen pass in the first quarter.
The Mountaineers get no rest next week as they take on #15 Georgia on the road.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter:
5:48 - WVU - 85 yard pass from Smith to Devine (7-0 WVU)
2:03 - VT - 30 yard field goal by Hazley (7-3 WVU)
Second Quarter:
8:26 - VT - 95 yard run by Williams (10-7 VT)
3:35 - VT - 29 yard field goal by Hazley (13-7 VT)
2:17 - VT - 12 yard pass from Taylor to Coale (20-7 VT)
2:04 - WVU - 95 yard kickoff return by Austin (20-14 VT)
0:47 - VT - 2 yard run by Younger (27-14 VT)
Third Quarter:
8:17 - VT - Safety (29-14 VT)
5:39 - VT - 41 yard field goal by Hazley (32-14 VT)
3:18 - WVU - 27 yard field goal by Bitancurt (32-17 VT)
0:27 - WVU - 2 yard run by Clarke (32-24 VT)
Fourth Quarter:
6:03 - VT - 41 yard field goal by Hazley (35-24 VT)
4:34 - WVU - 1 yard run by Clarke (2-Pt. Failed) (35-30 VT)
West Virginia Leaders
QB Geno Smith - 6/12, 124 Yds, TD, 2 INT
QB Barry Brunetti - 7/12, 108 Yds, INT
RB Noel Devine - 12 Carries, 165 Yds, 2 Rec, 95 Yds, TD
RB Ryan Clarke - 10 Car, 26 Yds, 2 TD
TE Tyler Urban - 3 Rec, 57 Yds
WR Jock Sanders - 2 Rec, 30 Yds
SS Terence Garvin - 9 Tkl, TFL
SS Sidney Glover - 7 Tkl, FF
DE Scooter Barry - 7 Tkl, 3 TFL