In the annual battle for the Commonwealth Cup on Saturday, the Virginia football team could not overcome four first-half turnovers that led to 24 of Virginia Tech's 31 points, losing the game, 31-17. In front of a crowd of 61,625 fans - the largest to see a college football game in the state of Virginia - the Hokies (8-2) shut out the Cavaliers (4-7) in the first half and staved off Virginia's second half rally for the win.
The Virginia Tech defense started the Hokies off on the right foot in the second Virginia possession of the game. Senior linebacker Ben Taylor came around the right end and sacked Virginia quarterback Bryson Spinner and forced a fumble that the Hokies recovered. Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Noel wasted little time taking advantage and connected with fullback Jarrett Ferguson for a 17-yard touchdown strike on the ensuing drive. Noel finished the game with 12 completions on 22 attempts for 190 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception.
Virginia continued to stumble in its next two possessions. A Tavon Mason kickoff return fumble and Spinner interception led to Hokie points and a 17-0 Virginia Tech lead at the end of the first quarter.
Virginia Tech continued the onslaught in the second quarter when wide receiver Andre Davis scored on a 58-yard touchdown catch. Davis ended up with 126 yards on three catches for the game.
"We were ruined by all of the things that have given us problems in the past," Groh said. "Turnovers and deep balls."
In addition to its turning over the ball four times, Virginia committed seven penalties and surrendered six sacks. The offensive line struggled throughout the game and seemed to be overpowered by Virginia Tech's front four.
"They came after us the entire game," quarterback Matt Schaub said. "They were ready to play today. They came at us hard."
Virginia fought back in the second half to score on 17 points by the 10 minute, 53 second mark in the fourth quarter. With a re-energized defense holding the Hokies scoreless in the second half, Virginia looked poised to challenge Virginia Tech late in the game.
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Virginia Tech's hard-nosed defense and power-running game, however, stepped up and stopped the Cavaliers' momentum.
After the running back Tyree Foreman scored on a 1-yard touchdown catch, Virginia Tech running back Kevin Jones ran the ball six straight times for 46 yards. Although the Hokies would not score on the drive, they took 5:20 off of the clock, leaving the Cavaliers too little time to score twice. Jones finished the game with 187 yards on 37 carries.
"That was a big drive for us," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "That's what we had to have at that particular time. That offensive team really stepped up to the plate."
The Cavaliers "played better in the second half," Groh said. "But I don't this you should be proud of that. You are supposed to play well the entire game"
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