Virginia Tech Football: Hokies' Big Win Puts Title Within Reach

The new winningest active coach in the country notched another win onto his belt on Thursday. Frank Beamer led the Hokies into Atlanta to take on the 21st-ranked Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech. He walked out with his 249th win.

The Hokies had control of their own destiny coming into the game. If Virginia Tech lost, then their chances at repeating as Coastal Division champions would have been minuscule. They instead defeated Georgia Tech by a score of 37-26, placing the title within reach.

The Thursday night game was one of extreme momentum shifts (most of said shifts came in the second half). Georgia Tech had all of the momentum following a David Wilson fumble in the red zone. The fumble occurred during VT’s first drive in the third quarter. Georgia Tech responded with a seven-play drive ending in a touchdown.

The game could have quickly spun out of control for the Hokies on their next drive. The offense appeared destined to have a three-play-and-out drive. Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas was sacked on a 3rd-and-19 play by Jeremiah Attaochu. Attaochu then punched Logan Thomas in the helmet, which gave the Hokies a first down.

The offense responded by driving down the field and scoring a touchdown that gave the Hokies a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The punch allowed Virginia Tech back in the game, but a call from GT head coach Paul Johnson in the fourth quarter may have handed the win to the Hokies.

Georgia Tech decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Yellow Jackets' 31-yard line. The Hokies defense stopped the play, giving the offense a short field. Logan Thomas then proceeded to take the offense down the field and score a touchdown.

Virginia Tech added a field goal later in the fourth quarter to make it a two-possession game. Georgia Tech did not score again.

Logan Thomas was the player of the game Thursday. He accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). He completed 7-of-13 pass attempts for 209 yards and ran for 70 more. Georgia Tech was unable to stop the quarterback sneak throughout the entire game.

Thomas wasn’t the only great player for the Hokies offense, as David Wilson also turned in a career day. He rushed for 175 yards on 23 carries. The 175 yards was the most yardage he has gained on the ground during a game. The only drawbacks to Wilson’s day were the fumble (discussed earlier) and the fact that he couldn’t get into the end zone.

Overall, this was a huge win for the Hokies. It took Georgia Tech and Miami out of the coastal division race. The win also put a lot of pressure on the University of Virginia.

If Virginia is to have any chance of winning the coastal division, then they must win out. If the Hokies lose to the Tar Heels next Thursday, then Virginia can also lose one game. This could set up the most important battle for the Commonwealth Cup in many years.  

The one thing that is for sure is that this win put the Hokies a lot closer to a Coastal division title and berth in the ACC Championship game.

Notes: Virginia Tech’s win on Thursday was their 12th straight win in true road games.