The offense was tough to come by, but the drama came late as Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech 20-17 in overtime on Monday night at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va.
Virginia Tech kicker Cody Journell made a 41-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game at 17 and then made a 17-yard field goal in overtime to give the Hokies the win. Journell, who was reinstated to the team back in July, had missed a 38-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter. Journell missed the Sugar Bowl due to a felony home invasion in December.
Georgia Tech had the ball first to start overtime, but quarterback Tevin Washington threw an ill-advised pass on third down from Virginia Tech's 10-yard line that was intercepted by Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller.
It appeared late in the fourth quarter that the Yellow Jackets would steal one in Blacksburg. Washington threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to A-back Deon Hill with 44 seconds left to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 17-14. The pass capped a 13-play, 72-yard drive.
Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas then led the Hokies 51 yards for the tying score. Thomas completed a 23-yard pass to receiver Corey Fuller on 4th-and-4 from Georgia Tech's 47 yard line with six seconds left to set up Journell's game-tying field goal.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Thomas hit consecutive passes of 35 and 42 yards to put the Hokies ahead 14-10 with 7:46 to play. First, Thomas hit receiver Marcus Davis before airing it out to redshirt freshman wideout Demitri Knowles for a 42-yard touchdown with 7:46 left. It was the first career reception for Knowles.
Virginia Tech punting mishaps continue: The Hokies are making a habit of punting miscues in season openers. Virginia Tech was breaking in a new starting punter and long snapper. In the first quarter, true freshman punter A.J. Hughes mishandled a snap from long snapper Joe St. Germain. Georgia Tech took over at Virginia Tech's 24-yard line and eventually scored a touchdown.
The Hokies had a punt blocked late in the fourth quarter against East Carolina in 2008 that was returned for a touchdown. Virginia Tech lost that game 27-22. In 2010, Boise State blocked a Virginia Tech punt in the first quarter. The Hokies went on to lose that game 33-30.
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