The Virginia Tech Hokies improved to 3-5 on the season and 2-2 in ACC play, defeating the California Golden Bears 42-34 on Friday night in Blacksburg.
The Hokies started fast when defensive tackle Kemari Copeland sacked Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele for a 14-yard loss to set the tone. Two plays later, Virginia Tech forced a punt and would begin its first drive from the Cal 47-yard line. VT quarterback Kyron Drones would later find wide receiver Ayden Greene for a 27-yard touchdown to give
the Hokies an early 7-0 lead.
After another three-and-out, the Hokies would take a 10-0 lead, and Blacksburg was going crazy.
It wouldn’t last.
The Golden Bears would score the following 10 points to tie the game. After kicking a field goal to take a 13-10 lead, VT wide receiver Cameron Seldon made a special teams mistake, catching the kickoff at the 1-yard line and going out of bounds. Then, the Hokies had a punt blocked, and Cal had a short field. A few plays later, it was suddenly 20-10. Fans booed the home team off the field.
But the Hokies made adjustments. Yes, you read that correctly. This coaching staff made some adjustments, and Tech came out in the second half with 17 unanswered points to take a 27-20 fourth-quarter lead. Unfortunately, ACC officiating would rear its ugly head numerous times on Friday night, but no call was more egregious than this one.
This call was so bad that almost everyone on social media agreed on something. The Hokies had just made a huge stop to force a fourth-and-goal from the 13-yard line and a likely field goal. The penalty gave Cal new life, and they scored a touchdown to tie the game.
Drones had an up-and-down night, but, along with running back Marcellous Hawkins, put the Hokies on their backs, leading a rushing attack that totaled a season-high 357 yards. Virginia Tech would have a chance to win but kicker John Love’s field goal bounced off the uprights. Love never misses, so Lane Stadium was in disbelief.
Fortunately, the Bears would return the miss, forcing overtime. Sagapolutele threw a touchdown pass on the first play, but Drones was not fazed. He ran for a 17-yard touchdown to force double overtime. Drones would then find wide receiver Takye Heath for a 7-yard touchdown. Drones converted on the 2-point conversion, giving the Hokies a 42-34 lead. The defense did the rest, stopping Sagapolutele to end the game, and Lane Stadium went crazy.
Drones wasn’t great throwing the ball, completing 9 of 18 passes for 118 yards, but had three touchdowns. His lone interception was a terrible decision in the red zone. He also ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns, completing an unbelievable night. Hawkins led the way with 167 rushing yards. Copeland led the defense with three sacks.
The Hokies are now 3-2 under interim coach Philip Montgomery and face Louisville on the road next week.
What a night in Blacksburg.
