The Wake Forest Demon Deacons lead the Virginia Tech Hokies 10-6 at halftime. The Hokies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after a 19-play, nine-minute drive ended with only a field goal.
On defense, the Hokies came out fast, forcing the Demon Deacons into a three-and-out after an Emmanuel Belmar sack. After taking possession, quarterback Hendon Hooker hits Terius Wheatley for a huge catch-and-run, unfortunately a Wake Forest defender pokes the ball out ending Tech’s positive momentum. The Demon Deacons would end that drive with a field goal.
Tech would go on another long drive that, yet again, ended with a field goal. After Wake Forest takes possession of the football, the Tech defense gets called for holding on 3rd and 10 in a drive that ends up with Wake quarterback Jamie Newman finding Sage Surratt for an 11-yard touchdown.
After a three-and-out, the Hokies also force the Deacs off the field, getting the ball back with over two minutes remaining in solid field position. Hooker finds Damon Hazelton for two big completions, setting up Tech with a 1st and 10 from the Wake Forest 25-yard line. However, Hooker drops back, sees nothing open and runs. As he gets hit, he tries spinning and a Wake Forest defender knocks the ball loose, prematurely ending another promising drive.
Overall, the Hokies possessed the ball for 21:32 in the first half, Great strategy and all, but you have to make the opposing team pay and the Hokies didn’t. Hooker completed 10 of 15 passes for 158 yards and also led the Hokies with 25 yards rushing in the first half.
Tech needs a strong defensive stand to open the second half or this one could get out of hand.