Halftime: Hokies Trail Yellow Jackets, 20-0

The Virginia Tech Hokies did not wait long to introduce adversity during their matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Fighting Gobblers received the kick-off and immediately fumbled the return.  The GT offense, sans their starting QB, Justin Thomas, and their leading RB, Dedrick Mills, took the field on the Hokie 38-yard line.  VT forced a fourth down, but GT went for it and converted. The Hokies defense eventually answered the call and held the Yellow Jackets to only three points. 

After a non-descript kick-off, Jerod Evans, and the Virginia Tech offense took the field.  The Hokies were not their long.  After three short completions, the Hokies were forced to punt.  The Yellow Jackets offense kept the drive alive with a nice QB rush from backup, Matthew Jordan, and a pass interference penalty against Hokie DB, Adonis Alexander.  GT quickly found their way to the Hokie red zone.  The Hokies defense again didn’t break, sacking Jordan and forcing the field goal unit onto the field.  Georgia Tech led, 0-6, with two minutes left in the quarter. 

After the touchback the Hokie offense returned, and so too did VT facing a third down situation.  This time the Hokies picked up their initial first down of the game. To close the quarter, Evans picked up 17 yards, dragging the Hokies into Yellow Jacket territory.  The drive ended on a McMillian drop and.  Joey Slye, came out to attempt a field goal, but the hold was botched, resulting in the kick being blocked. 

The Hokie defense stepped up, and Edmunds sacked Jordan for a loss forcing the first GT punt.  C.J. Carroll returned the punt 15 yards to the 50-yard line.  Evans connected with Carroll, for 24 yards, and the Hokies moved into scoring position.  The very next play Number Four threw only his third interception of the season, when GT defender, Laurence Austin, snagged the overthrown ball in the end zone. 

The Yellow Jackets took advantage of the opportunity, and drove the field.  They converted two first downs before Jordan gashed the Hokie for a 53-yard touchdown, putting GT up, 13-0.  Again, the Hokies were unable to do anything on offense and failed to convert another third and long.  The punt coverage team did a great job halting any hope of a return with a great tackle, pinning the Yellow Jackets on their eight.  After a Woody Baron sack and a short run GT faced 3^rd and 8.  Woody Baron sniffed out the play and forced the Georgia Tech punt.  Disaster again struck on second down when a botched snap sent the ball sailing over the Hokie QB.  Evans recovered the ball on the two-yard line.  On 3^rd and 26 the Hokies ran for a four-yard gain to give Ludwig a little more breathing room to punt.

The Yellow Jackets only needed four plays to score their second touchdown.  At the half, Georgia Tech leads Virginia Tech, 20-0.

So far this game has been a collection of Hokie mistakes and miscues.  The Hokies are still in the fight, but must regain their focus and adjust appropriately.

Go Hokies!!!