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Virginia Tech Outlasts Boston College 26-10

Travon McMillian Has Another Big Day

By Roy Hatfield
Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The Virginia Tech Hokies invaded Chesnut Hill on Saturday to take on the Boston College Eagles.  The Eagles had won the last two meetings, and the Hokies were looking for some payback.  The Hokies were coming off a heartbreaking 4OT thriller to Duke, and B.C. was coming off a loss of their own.  Boston College lost by just three at Louisville last weekend, and both teams entered Saturday's tilt at 3-5.  The stakes were high for both clubs as they continue the struggle to become bowl eligible.

The game started out with the Hokies on offense, and Brewer led the Hokies into B.C. territory.  The Eagles sacked Brewer for a big loss on a 2nd down effectively putting the Hokies out of field goal range.  The Hokies were forced to punt.  The Hokies defense looked impressive on the first series, and after forcing a 3 and out, the Hokies were afforded great position near the 50.  The Hokies took advantage as Michael Brewer hit Cam Phillips on a 27 yard beauty to put the Hokies on the board 7-0.

The Hokies defense again didn't yield a first down, and Virginia Tech took the ball back at the 36.  The Hokies put together a solid drive, ending in a season long 47 yard field goal from Joey Slye.

The Eagles needed a change and a spark.  They inserted former walk-on John Fadule at QB, and he broke a nice 25 yard run.  This was the fourth Eagle to see snaps at QB this season. The first quarter ended with Tech up 10-0.  After Fadule's big run (the only B.C. first down of the quarter) the Eagles were forced to punt it yet again.  Tech had a drive stall as well, but on the A.J. Hughes punt, the ball hit an Eagle and was recovered by Donovan Riley. The Hokies were first and goal from the five.  Michael Brewer tried the fade to Bucky Hodges, but was picked off by John Johnson for the B.C. touchback.  This was Brewer's second interception on the season, and a wasted opportunity from the Hokies.

After the lowest of the lows, Andrew Motuapuaka delivered the highest of the highs.  He stripped the ball clean from Jordan Gowins and scampered 34 yards to the house! 17-0 Hokies.

The Eagles had a nice drive with time running out in the second quarter, and Mike Knoll missed a 43 yard field goal. Boston College has had kicking woes all year, and the kick sailed wide right.  With 2:05 left in the half the Hokies took over.  After a roughing the kicker penalty kept the Hokies' drive alive, the Hokies started moving down the field.The two minute offense looked crisp, and Joey Slye hit a 38 yard FG, and the halftime score was 20-0 Hokies. Here is how the first half numbers looked:


 Virginia Tech Hokies Boston College Eagles
First Downs 15 5
3rd Down Efficiency 2-7 1-6
4th Down Efficiency 0-0 0-0
Rushing Yards 68 47
Passing Yards 167 33
Total Yards 235 80
Interceptions 1 0
Punts (Avg.) 2(34.7) 4(38.5)
Penalties(Yards) 3(41) 3(28)

The second half started slowly with the teams trading punts, and then the Hokies got good field position thanks to big return from Greg Stroman. The Hokies weren't able to punch it in, but settled for a 32 yard Joey Slye field goal, 23-0 Hokies.  The Eagles' offensive struggles continued into the third quarter, having a hard time moving the ball against an inspired bunch of Hokie defenders.  After the Hokies jumped offsides on a 4th and 1, the Eagles moved down the field with 5:13 remaining in the third.

The Eagles seem to bog down in the red zone, and this was no different.  Facing a 3rd and 10 from the 11, the Hokies brought pressure and Fadule was forced to throw the ball away.  Mike Knoll finally put the Eagles on the board from 29 yards as the score became Tech 23, BC 3.

The Hokies offense went 3 and out, and B.C. was back in position. As the third quarter came to a close the Eagles seemed to be gaining momentum.  Travon McMillian seemed to fumble of Tech's first possession in the fourth quarter, but was ruled down. It was a very, very questionable call to say the least.  Cam Phillips, sensing the karma, promptly gave the ball back to the Eagles on the very next play with a fumble that was reviewed and upheld.  Boston College coach Steve Addazio was more red than the turning leaves after the exchange. After trading punts, Boston College started driving in earnest.  Fadule had some nice passing on the drive, and a great keeper up the middle.  The Eagles had first and goal on the two yard line.  Richard Wilson capped off the drive with a power run in the middle. VT 23 BC 10.

The Hokies needed to burn some clock.  The game was getting a little too close for comfort for the Hokies. McMillian got heavy use and was approaching 100 yards in the ball game.  With 5 minutes left in the game, the Hokies needed some clock burning time outs in the worst way.  With 3:13 left in the game, Virginia Tech was forced to punt it back to Boston College.  The Eagles needed a miracle and then some.  Dadi Nicolas ended the talk of miracles with a forced fumble on the sack of Fadule.  It was great to see a big play from the injury hampered Nicolas.  Joey Slye put the final points up for the Hokies connecting on a 32 yard field goal, 26-10 Hokies.  Boston College kept fighting, and after a great kickoff return were suddenly in Tech territory. Greg Stroman put the final nail in the coffin, picking off Fadule in the end zone

Travon McMillian was the true workhorse of the game, carrying the ball a career high 32 times.  He finished with 103 yards, and will get some much needed rest on the upcoming bye week.   After the bye week, the Hokies travel to Atlanta to face Paul Johnson and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  The Hokies improve to 4-5 and snap a two game losing streak.

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