In his first start since sustaining a broken collarbone in the season-opener, Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns. This potent attack has the Blue Devils tied for second in the ACC in goals with 29, and third in the conference in total points with 84. After the Blue Devils were twice called for pass interference on 2-point pass attempts, Travon McMillian ran it in from inside the 1 to tie the game at 24-all.
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So how did Tech lose?
The Blue Devils visit the Virginia Tech Hokies Saturday afternoon and books have them tabbed as 3-point road underdogs.
Duke entered Wallace Wade Stadium with an 8-1 record and a boatload of confidence against a reeling 4-5 Virginia Tech side that was in big trouble in terms of achieving bowl eligibility. The game is also airing as a live stream online.
Duke made the plays to win.
Sirk rushed for a career-high 109 yards. But rather than stop the clock, officials ruled Duke’s Alonzo Saxton had stopped Phillips’ forward progress before he went out.
Rather than try a hail Mary, Beamer trotted out Joey Slye for a pointless 67-yard field-goal attempt, yet another dubious decision. An entire game and four overtime periods later, it would be that two point conversion that ended that situation.
The only way to get it all documented is to simply recap it, in chronological order. He threw touchdown passes of 16, 23 and 11 yards to Hodges, who finished with five catches for 101 yards.
A Bryan Schor 7-yard TD pass to Rashard Davis cut the Dukes’ (7-1, 4-1) deficit to 52-49 with 4:02 left.
Michael Brewer responded, completing three passes to his tight ends on the ensuing drive, including a 36-yard pass to Bucky Hodges, and a 16-yarder to Hodges for the tying touchdown. Duke fought back against a few ghosts the week before Halloween. Tech is still vulnerable to Duke’s strength which is the running quarterback. “We played gritty and, as normal, our games with Florida State get a little bit hectic and insane, because it’s a battle”. The pattern was powerfully affirmed when Martin missed his second field goal of the day with 1:04 remaining.
Duke started the year picked in the middle of the pack of the Coastal with defending champion Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech the preseason favorites. Wilson would burst through that opening as he rumbled his way to a 58-yard touchdown. All three have one loss, but all of their losses came outside the conference, so they’re ideal in the ACC. Even after a holiding penalty on the Hokies created second and goal at the 15, Virginia Tech was able to score a go-ahead touchdown. Brenden Motley has been the starting QB in his absence. These two have hit the under in four of their last five meetings. “We’re playing to win games”.
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On the Hokies ensuing kickoff, Tech kicked an onsides kick that Duke recovered at their own 49-yard line. He kept his wits about him, got rid of the ball when he needed to, and did not throw interceptions. There are very good players on the defense. Virginia Tech is coming off a 30-20 loss doled out by the Miami Hurricanes.
