Game Recap: VT vs BC

Yesterday, Hokie fans got to see the play they expected from their team coming into this season. With the Hokies making their debut in Lane Stadium, the new Lunch Pail defense swarmed on Boston College Quarterback Phil Jurkovec all night long. The Tech defense allowed only 155 net yards against the Screaming Eagles, while forcing 10 punts. This is the defense Hokie fans hoped to see when the program brought in Brent Pry as a Head Coach.

Grant Wells did everything that was expected from him. There was great improvement in his game when comparing this to his performance against ODU. Wells cleaned up his passing by making smart reads which eliminated turnovers, allowing the Hokies to implement a heavy run scheme that wore down the Boston College defense. Kaleb Smith returned after missing part of the game against ODU, scoring one touchdown on a two yard reception, along with a one handed grab for 43 yards earlier that same drive.

The Hokies attempted 45 rushing plays and 25 passing plays, going for a total of 284 yards. Keyshawn King showed promise in a highlight reel 65 yard touchdown that put the Hokies up 17-0 with 13:50 left in the second quarter. King only saw 4 carries in the game while most of the rushing load was handled by Jalen Holston. Holston ran for 51 yards on 20 attempts with one Touchdown.

See Keyshawn King’s 65-yard Touchdown below.

This game was a grueling defensive battle, in which the Hokies saw success due to the pressure being applied by the front seven. Phil Jurkovec was visibly frustrated on the sideline late in the game because his teammates weren’t giving him any time to move the ball down the field. On the second play of the game Jurkovec took a shot down the field to receiver Jaden Williams, however the Hokies quickly took the momentum when the pass was intercepted by fall camp standout Armani Chatman. We saw another gritty week of play from Dax Hollifield, who lead the Hokies in tackles for the second week in a row. His high energy play was matched by his front seven counterparts, with the group racking up 5 sacks and 5 QB hurries in the game. Tyjaun Garbutt had a breakout performance that saw him dominate the BC offense with a sack, three tackles for loss and four Quarterback hurries. The pressure by the Hokie defense made it impossible for the Eagles to put together any type of offense. Boston College came in with injury problems and young players starting on their offensive line, which allowed the Hokies to pressure Jurkovec while only rushing four lineman during many snaps.

This game was an important confidence builder for the VT football program. We got to see Coach Pry get his first win in the Maroon and Orange. Grant Wells won his first game starting for the Hokies in a game in which he bounced back and looked more like a poised veteran Quarterback. The return of the Lunchpail defense to Lane Stadium reminded Hokie fans of the defenses that brought Virginia Tech to the highest ranks in College Football. With an easier game against Wofford up next, look for the Hokies to use a similar style for a dominant performance in week three.

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