Written by Adrian Beecher
Durham, NC – Virginia Tech slowly and methodically pulled away from Duke in Durham on Saturday night with a 31-14 win over the Blue Devils. Only once was the lead held by Duke, then it was 21 unanswered by Tech to really put it away in a 31-14 win for the Hokies.
Here’s how it all went down.
Duke and Virginia Tech were unable to accomplish anything of note of their opening possession’s other than Tech going for it on 4th down near midfield an not getting it. Following the turnover on downs, Duke’s Daniel Jones was picked off on a tipped pass by Reggie Floyd.
The Hokies would capitalize on the turnover with a field goal to opening the scoring. Duke would then answer with a stout drive led by Jones, that saw the QB complete four of five passes including a 23 yard TD pass to Noah Gray for the 7-3 lead with 3:25 left in the 1ts quarter.
However, the Hokies were hungry for more and went on nine play 76-yard drive that was capped off on a 27 yard TD pass from Ryan Willis to Damon Hazelton. They would follow that up with a 67-yard touchdown pass from Willis to Dalton Keene for 67 and the score to take a 17-7 lead.
This would hold through the half, with Duke being unable to get anything going on offense. In the 2nd half, after Duke forced Tech to punt, the Blue Devils turned the ball over on downs at midfield and the Hokies went right back to work taking advantage of the field position.
It took just 5 plays and a minute and 14 seconds to see Steven Peoples take a 6 yard TD rush into the end zone to make it 24-7 Tech with 9:35 left in the 3rd quarter.
Duke wasn’t ready to give up just yet and was able to cut the deficit back to just 10, early in the 4th quarter on a 1 yard Deon Jackson rushing TD.
However, two more TD scores by the Hokie offense in the 4th quarter would seal the deal for Virginia Tech down the stretch.
Virginia Tech now moves forward to face a top ten opponent in Notre Dame on 10/6, while the Blue Devils will get the week off before heading to Atlanta for a matchup with Georgia Tech on 10/13.
