A photo gallery from the ACC Championship can be found here.
Second Half Photos
Virginia Tech linebacker Cody Grimm tackles Boston College quarterback Dominique Davis. Grimm’s hit caused Davis to fumble the ball, which resulted in a VT recovery. There were a number of turnovers throughout the game.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor opts to run the ball himself.
First Half Photos
Victor “Macho” Harris (#1) evades the defense as he makes a punt return.
Darren Evans (#32) makes a run to the outside after taking the hand-off from quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Virginia Tech fans display their predictions for the outcome of the ACC championship game.
Virginia Tech’s Victor “Macho” Harris (#1) gets his teammates riled up at the start of the game.
ACC Championship Blog: Part IV — The Official Running Game Blog
4:15 pm
In an orange-and-maroon packed Raymond James Stadium, Boston College may relate to a story Tiki Barber told me yesterday about playing in front of a Hokie crowd.
“All I remember is the keys rattling in that stadium, and walking off that field in defeat … I guess that’s not a good memory.”
While that may’ve not been a good memory for Tiki or Boston College fans and team alike, its probably sweet music for those who support Virginia Tech football or made the trip down from Blacksburg for this, the fruition of the past three months, the ACC Championship trophy.
3:30 p.m.
After muffing a colossal opportunity inside the Eagles’ 20, Tech didn’t let following ones fall through its grasp. An interception and fumble return were key in a 30-12 win over the Boston College in the ACC Championship.
The critical interception arrived as momentum was falling to Boston College’s hands. Tech linebacker Brett Warren had just dropped a bouncing fumble inside the Eagles’ 20 before the Eagles’ would convert on third-and-long the following play.
However, Boston College quarterback Dominique Davis would misfire deep moments later, into the capitalizing arms of Stephan Virgil, who would return the errant pass to Boston College’s 10-yard line.
The win marks the consecutive year in which Tech lost to Boston College in the regular season, before rectifying matters in the ACC Championship. In their first match up of 2008, the Hokies committed five turnovers but turned them into zero offensive points in a 28-23 loss in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
This time around, the Hokies followed an interception by producing a touchdown to stretch its lead to three scores in the third quarter.
2:30 p.m. Halftime 14-7, the first time ever that the ACC Championship score didn’t head into halftime tied.
VT-BC
Rushing Yards 83-19
Passing Yards 144-70
Total Yards 153-163
Turnovers 1-1
Big plays late in the first half killed Tech in the last go-around with BC, and the Eagles got their strike in again, this time in the form of the longest play in ACC Championship history, a 51-yard play off a screen pass from Davis to Harris.
The previous record came on a pass from Marcus Vick to Josh Morgan in 2005.
BC would take advantage and score on a toss to the right corner of the endzone to Rich Gunnell.
2:15 pm
Things looking good for Tech has the second quarter winds down to the 2 minute mark, as the Hokies are 143-25 under Frank Beamer when leading at the half.
2:10 pm
What was going through my mind before Victor “Macho” Harris punched momentum back into Tech’s arms:
Yup, I jinxed it. I’m not completely sure if that one was Taylor’s fault quite yet –I’d like to see that replay a couple more times — but that’s what happens when you comment on how effective Tech’s passing game has been without knocking on wood. Mark Herzlich, who tipped the pass, has amazing instincts and I think just made a great play to tip the pass and seemingly swing momentum back to BC.
2:04 p.m.
The Hokies score 14 points in a home game against Duke, then two weeks later equal that point total in less than 20 minutes against the nation’s No. 7 total defense. Go figure.
Taylor is putting together his best first half passing performance of the season, and at the right time. Hokies at the 25-yard line now
1:50 p.m.
14-0 Hokies. Tyrod Taylor with the two-yard touchdown run. How’s that for alliteration? BC linebacker Mike McLaughlin whiffs on a blitz up the middle, Taylor caps off the 7 play, 50 yard drive with a twisting, spinning, turning TD.
1:45 p.m.
First Quarter Stats:
Tech-BC:
Passing yards 41-23
Rushing yards 35-25
Total Offense 76-48
Score 7-0
MVP of the quarter: Tyrod Taylor
1:30 p.m.:
Taylor caps off a 10-play, 61 yard drive by knifing for a five-yard touchdown right through the heart of BC’s seventh-ranked run defense.
First offensive first quarter touchdown in ACC Championship history. Sitting two seats to my right, another journalist remarked that its because Tech’s played in two of these games.
ACC Championship Blog: Part III — The Game Begins
On the opening drive, Tech gets stuffed on a run and goes three and out, ouch.
“At least they didn’t run Dustin Pickle on that third and two,” remarked Brian in his typically sardonic fashion.
Ohh, forgot my predictions and keys. Its still well early enough for that, I’d say.
Interceptions: Tech and BC are No. 1 and 2 respectively in picks over the past few years, and BC ranks number one this year. Think there may be a couple? </b>
The ground game: The Hokies offense is usually completely flaccid when they can’t get an effective running attack going. Unfortunately, Boston College has only allowed about 57 rush yards per game over its past five contests, ranking third in the nation over that time span. BC will want to establish a strong ground game as well with Dominique Davis starting only his second game as the Eagles’ quarterback.
Two-QB-System, or lack thereof : On Tech’s side at signal caller, the mix of playing time between Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon figures to be about as important a series of decisions that Frank Beamer and offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring will make today. Taylor ran for over 120 yards last time against BC while playing every snap, but could not find any semblance of a rhythm with his receivers.</b>
ACC Championship Blog: Part II — The Legends’ VT-BC Predictions, and chatting with Tiki Barber (who picks Tech to win)
Bilbo Bloggins back, this time from the press box in Raymond James Stadium, host of the 2008 ACC Championship. The game may’ve just started but initial Polls indicate Virginia Tech as favored to win this battle in Florida … At least, that’s what I got from a few ACC legends at the Grand Hyatt Tampa last night.
Clemson alum Levon Kirkland took Tech, citing Tyrod Taylor as “the dark horse”.
Russell Maryland took Boston College. Though, while admitting that Jeff Jagodzinski was an assistant coach while he was at Green Bay
Former Virginia Tech quarterback Don Struck said he was not a fan of the two-quarterback system in general, but praised the coaches for making it work as well as they have. Though, his answer to “Who you got?” was not-so-shockingly, “Come on!”
But the big shocker may’ve been Tiki Barber’s choice. I asked the man who broke UVa’s all-time rushing record in his collegiate days if he would pick Boston College or Virginia Tech, and he chose the hated rival.
That’s three to one!
He also lamented some of the negative developments of the Wahoo football program.
“There’s a lot of frustration, just watching from afar. One because of the production on the field, but that happens in sports, you go through cycles of winning and losing. But what was more troubling to me and some of my fellow alums, was the off-field problems of some of the players. UVa, we understand we’re not going to consistently be a top five (or) 10-ranked team, but we do pride ourselves on producing character individuals, and I think we went a little bit astray, hopefully coach Groh is getting that back on track.”
… more to come from my conversation about Virginia Tech with Barber, and games analysis you can’t get anywhere else all game long!!
-Thomas Emerick … err, Bilbo Bloggins until I’m passed out on my couch in Blacksburg Sunday night
Podcast from Tampa
To listen to the sports editors discuss their travel exploits to Tampa as well as a preview of the game, here is a link:
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/2008/12/06/ct_sports_podcast__at_tampa
Predictions for other games today
It’s too prickly to predict this game, but it’s safe to prognosticate the other match-ups today.
Army vs. Navy: This is one of my favorite games of the year, even though some say it’s lost its luster. One reason for that may be the lack of competitiveness. Navy has triumphed in the last six contest. It won’t be much different - as the 7-4 Midshipmen should run over the 3-8 Black Knights. Navy 34, Army 16
Alabama vs. Florida (SEC Championship): A de facto national semifinal, it seems like these two clubs clinched their respective divisions about three months ago. Florida has been outstanding since losing their only game to Ole Miss. Alabama really hasn’t been challenge, but they haven’t looked as impressive as the Gators. That might be the reason why the Crimson Tide goes into Atlanta as a decided underdog. Nick Saban’s group will be prepared enough to not make it a runaway, but Tim Tebow and the Florida offense can’t be stopped. Florida 31, Alablama 23
USC vs. UCLA: Come on. No way a struggling UCLA offense will find any way to probe into a stingy USC defense. The Trojans win and march on to the Rose Bowled (where Saturday’s game against the Bruins is played) against Penn State. USC 42, UCLA 3
Missouri vs. Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship): It would take an absolute moron to pick Mizzou, considering how the Sooners have played lately. It would take an idiot to say this one is going to be close. Oklahoma has scored 60 points or more in each of their last four games, including victories over Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. They may very well get 60 again, especially against a Tiger defense that has trouble defending the pass. Sam Bradford locks up the Heisman tonight. Oklahoma 59, Missouri 31
Pregame FanFest
The Hokie Bird rides the mechanical bull at the ACC FanFest.
Hokie Fans (above) enjoy the festivities of FanFest. Though Boston College fans (below) are clearly out numbered, they appear to be just as spirited.
Fanfest and Pep Rally!
Virginia Tech cheerleaders and the Marching Virginians perform at the ACC Championship fanfest.
The Marching Virginians perform at the ACC Championship fanfest.
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