Hokies pull away late, beat Cincinnati 29-13
by Neal Turnage
September 23, 2006

Despite trailing in the fourth quarter, the Virginia Tech Hokies downed the Cincinnati Bearcats by the score of 29 to 13 and remain undefeated on the season.

The game would turn out to be a tale of two halves as the Hokies performances in both were as different as night and day.

Tech RB Branden Ore rushed for 152 yards in the second half after being held to 18 yards on seven first-half carries..

“I was proud of the way our football team ran,” said Tech head coach Frank Beamer. “I didn’t think anyone lost their poise in the second half. We went out there and did our jobs.”

Tech started this game similarly to its previous outings; causing turnovers and blocking kicks.  Brandon Flowers forced a fumble at the 5-yard line on the first drive of the game to halt what had been a 64-yard Cincinnati drive.

On the Bearcats’ next possession, Josh Morgan burst through the line and blocked a Brian Steel punt out of the endzone for a safety.  The block was the second of the season for Morgan and Tech’s 112th blocked kick under Beamer.  Tech has now blocked a kick in each of the last six contests against Cincinnati.

“(Morgan)’s a blocking machine,” said Beamer.  “He and Cam Martin give us a good one-two punch on the inside because both of them are fast, both of them have enough size to where they can fight through a blocker.  I tell you, he’s a weapon.”

The Hokie offense came out flat in the first half, with its only score coming from a 37-yard field goal by Brandon Pace.

After going ahead 5-0 in the first quarter, Cincinnati scored ten unanswered points in the second and held Tech to its first scoreless quarter since the third quarter of the ACC Championship against Florida State last season.

The rushing touchdown by Cincinnati’s Greg Moore was the first touchdown allowed this year by the first-string defense.  Cincinnati added a field goal after intercepting Sean Glennon.  Those were the first points Tech had given up following a turnover this year.

Heading into the half, the Hokies trailed 5 to 10 and Tech players combined for -8 yards on the ground.

 The halftime adjustments paid off for the Hokies, who scored on the opening possession of the third quarter.

Sean Glennon connected with Justin Harper on a 47-yard touchdown pass, the longest reception of Harper’s career.

“We always tell Sean, when in doubt, let us make a play,” said Harper about the catch.  “And right there I felt like he trusted me enough to throw it up there and let me go get it.”

Tech would give up another field goal in the third quarter to fall behind 12-13, but went ahead for good with a field goal of its own just nine seconds into the final quarter.

As the rushing attack picked up steam, Ore added a touchdown (his seventh of the year) to make it 22-13. He did, however, lose a fumble with over three minutes remaining, giving Cincinnati the ball back in Tech territory. 

Tech CB Victor “Macho” Harris put the game out of reach six plays later by intercepting Cincinnati QB Dustin Grutza at the Virginia Tech 28-yard line and returning it 72 yards for the score.  Harris would seal the victory with a second interception with 49 seconds remaining in the game.

“It’s a team effort,“ said Harris, who held the defense’s lunchpail at the press conference.  “We had great pass rushes and great coverage, but to be the one to seal the game feels great.”

Virginia Tech hosts Georgia Tech next week at Lane Stadium.  Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. with regional television coverage on ABC.