Hokies Take Down Tribe, 44-3

Appalachian State pulled off a stunner in week one against no. 5 Michigan, but Virginia Tech made sure it wouldn’t be the next Top 25 team to fall to the FCS (formerly Div 1-AA).  The 17th-ranked Hokies made short work of the William & Mary Tribe, winning 44-3 at Lane Stadium.

Tech scored early and often in this contest, putting up 41 points in the first half. After knocking in field goals on the first two possessions, Tech found its rhythm.

First, the Tribe turned the ball over on downs due to a bad snap while attempting to punt.  It didn’t take long for Tech RB Branden Ore to punch the ball in for a two-yard touchdown.

On the next W&M possession, CB Brandon Flowers stepped in front of a Jake Phillips pass at the 49 yard line and took it all the way in for the score.

“Their guy is quicker and faster than our guy,” said W&M coach Jimmye Laycock after the game. “Flowers, we’ll be watching him play on Sundays, I’m sure.”

Tech would force a three-and-out on the next series. This would set up a 9-play, 58-yard scoring drive by the Hokies.  RB Kenny Lewis Jr. took the handoff, broke a tackle and sprinted eight yards into the endzone to make it 27-0 in the first quarter.

Senior Eddie Royal fielded the next W&M punt at the Tech 40-yard line and sliced his way through the Tribe defense on his way to a 60-yard score.  The play marks the second time in his career he’s taken a punt in for a touchdown.

The Tribe did manage to get on the board in the second quarter with a 9-play, 94-yard drive that resulted in a 22-yard field goal by sophomore Brian Pate.

Tech would cap off the first half scoring two drives later when Ore took a short pass from Taylor and turned it into a 34-yard score.  The play was Taylor’s first collegiate touchdown pass.

Defensively, the Hokies allowed just five total rushing yards despite playing its second and third teams for a good portion of the game. Redshirt junior linebacker Purnell Sturdivant had a career game, notching two interceptions, two sacks and eight tackles.

“I noticed him out there today,” said Tech coach Frank Beamer. “I just gave him the game ball over in the dressing room…I’m glad to see the rewards come to a guy like that.”

The lone dark spot for the Hokies in this game came in the third quarter when freshman TE Chris Drager went down awkwardly while being tackled and injured his knee.  Beamer expects him to be out for the year and will look into obtaining a medical redshirt.

The Hokies begin conference play next week against the UNC Tar Heels.  Game time is set for noon at Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech

• Leaders
• Passing: Tyrod Taylor 6-13, 72 yds, TD
• Rushing: Tyrod Taylor 5 carries, 52 yds
• Receiving:  Branden Ore 4-48, TD
• Punting: Brent Bowden 8-345, 43.1 avg, 3 downed inside 20
• Returns:  Eddie Royal 4-120, TD
• Kicking:  Jud Dunlevy 3-3FG, 38 yd long
• Defense: Purnell Sturdivant 8 tkl, 2 sack, 2 int
• Notes
• Taylor’s 45-yd run was the longest by a Tech QB since Bryan Randall’s 75-yarder against Syracuse in 2003.
• With the two non-offensive touchdowns, Tech tied then passed Miami for the most since 1999. The Hokies now have 60 over that time span.
• Of the 82 Hokie players who dressed for the game, 75 saw playing time.

William & Mary

• Leaders
  • Passing: Jake Phillips 17-40, 243 yds
  • Rushing: Thomas Schonder 9 carries, 42 yds
  • Receiving:  Drew Atchison 5-81
  • Punting: David Miller 11-419, 38.1 avg, 2 downed inside 20
  • Returns:  David Caldwell 4-98
  • Kicking:  Brian Pate 1-2FG, 22 yd long
  • Defense: David Caldwell 10 tkl, 1tfl
• Notes
  
  • Tech’s 287 yards of total offense was the lowest the Tribe allowed to a FBS (Div 1-A) opponent since 2002.
  • This is the tenth consecutive season W&M has played an FBS opponent.
  • The three-point output was the lowest by a W&M team since being shut out at Delaware in 1997.