Hokies Fall To Maryland In Overtime, 27-24

The Hokies came into this game needing only a Duke loss to Miami today (or next week), something that so far, looks probable, and wins over Maryland at home and Virginia on the road to clinch a spot as the Coastal Division representative in the ACC Championship Game. Instead, Tech once again couldn't take care of their own business, losing to Maryland in overtime 27-24.

Tech came out of the gate dominant, forcing a fumble and housing it that was ruled an incompletion. After review, the officials somehow confirmed the call, which looked to be incorrect. The offense picked up where they left off last week, scoring on a Trey Edmunds run midway through the first half. But after another promising drive stalled, Erik Kristensen's field goal from 34 yards off the left upright.

After that drive, it wasn't pretty in any phase of the game for the Hokies for almost two quarters, as this tweet basically explains:

#Hokies have 60 yds combined on their 8 drives since that missed FG in the first half. Woof.

— Hokies Journal (@HokiesJournal) November 16, 2013

In addition to an offense that stalled completely, the Hokies' defense looked as bad as it has all year, allowing C.J. Brown running lanes all over the field, en route to a 122-yard and 2 touchdown rushing performance for him, including the clincher.

Finally, the third phase of the game, special teams, was again bad, as Tech gave up a punt return for a touchdown. Minus a LONG Demitri Knowles return and an overtime field goal by Kristensen, the unit was again porous in every way, missing tackles, failing to make the 25-yard line on kickoff returns (and sometimes even the 10) and even having a couple of punting miscues from A.J. Hughes, who looked surprisingly human today.

For the 7-4 Hokies, the loss essentially wraps up any chance they have at playing for the ACC crown, as the scenarios require multiple teams losing to teams over which they are favored and the Hokies beating UVA in Charlottesville two weeks from now, far from a given with this team.

For more football coverage from a Hokie perspective, Gobbler Country is your best option. Be sure to stay tuned for more coming out of the pipeline later this evening and beyond.