Jeff Sloyer/SPPSGlennon played in a borrowed Georgia Tech jersey Thursday night in Atlanta.
Photo Gallery: Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
The Hokies improved to 7-2 overall (4-1 ACC) with the win, while the Yellow Jackets dropped to 5-4 overall (2-4 ACC). Since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference, Virginia Tech is 14-1 in conference road games, and 7-1 in games following a loss.
Quarterback Sean Glennon – making his second consecutive start after being replaced in favor of freshman Tyrod Taylor earlier in the season – played a precise and poised game, despite odd circumstances.
Glennon was forced to wear a white Georgia Tech jersey for the entirety of the game because his jersey was missing. The new look didn't hamper Glennon's performance however, as the Centreville native started the game 14-for-15 for 161 yards and a touchdown.
"Sometimes when you're aiming or you're trying too hard, you're just not as accurate," said Glennon. "But I just dropped back and threw it, and I've been accurate for the most part." Glennon finished 22-for-32 for 296 yards, three total touchdowns and no interceptions.
"I'm proud of Sean," said head coach Frank Beamer. "He just got the game ball in there for outstanding player of the game, and he's done a nice job."
The Yellow Jackets scored the game's first points on a 24-yard Travis Bell field goal with 9:07 left in the first quarter, but the Hokies responded on the next possession and dominated the remainder of the game.
Following the Bell field goal, Glennon orchestrated a 16-play, 64-yard drive that was capped by a 28- yard Jud Dunlevy field goal. The Hokies converted three of four third downs on the drive and drained 8:40 off the clock.
Then, tied at three, Beamer called for an onside kick that was perfectly executed. Dunlevy recovered his own kick and Glennon drove the Hokies down the field before calling his own number and running in a touchdown from the 2-yard line. It was Glennon's third career rushing touchdown, and first of the season.
The Hokies signal-caller struck again just over eight minutes later, connecting with senior wide receiver Justin Harper for a 40-yard touchdown pass.
"The middle of the field was wide open for us all night … we ran right down the seam untouched," Harper said. "It was a great ball; great call."
The touchdown gave the Hokies a 17-3 lead, which they took into halftime.
The Yellow Jackets came out swarming early in the second half though, but the Hokies caught a couple of breaks early on to retain a firm grasp on the game.
Georgia Tech freshman quarterback Josh Nesbitt – who temporarily replaced starter Taylor Bennett – had a wide open target downfield, but the pass was just out of wide receiver James Johnson's reach and fell incomplete.
Later, the Hokie defense made a big play when Cam Martin hustled to catch Georgia Tech's Johnson on a long catch and run, forcing a fumble on the Hokies' 23-yard line that was recovered by defensive end Chris Ellis.
"We got a little bit lucky there in the third quarter," Beamer said. "They had a guy free down the field; they complete a pass and turn it over. You know, it was kind of our night."
The Hokies again avoided disaster in the early stages of the second half when what appeared to be a Sean Glennon fumble was nullified by the referees ruling him down.
Two plays later, Glennon hit senior wideout Josh Morgan for a 71-yard touchdown pass on a jump ball, the longest hookup of Glennon's career.
From there on out, the Hokie defense took over and never allowed Georgia Tech's Bennett to become comfortable in the pocket.
The Hokies held him to 11-of-26 passing for 157 yards, while forcing him into four interceptions; Bennett had only three interceptions in the Yellow Jackets' previous eight games.
"We were just out there making plays," said outside linebacker Cam Martin. "Coach Foster came out and made some play calls and we were in position to make plays and we went out and executed."
The Hokies finished the scoring in the fourth quarter on another Dunlevy field goal, sending masses of Georgia Tech faithful for the exit gates and shutting the door on any potential Yellow Jacket comeback.
The Hokies return to action next Saturday at Lane Stadium when they face the Florida State Seminoles at 3:30 p.m.
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