Virginia Tech escaped with a victory at home against FCS opponent Furman, winning by a final score of 24 to 17. It was a story of two distinct halves, as the Paladins held the half-time lead 14 to 3. A late onside kick call, which was questionably called back, forced Furman out of any hopes of an upset. The Hokies now enter the BYE week 2-1, and in desperate need of finding an identity on both sides of the football.
Virginia Tech was unable to generate anything on offense during the first half, having to settle for a 35-yard field goal from Brian Johnson after a 10-play 28-yard drive that began in the Furman half of the field. Furman was the first team to enter the endzone after a Tre Turner fumble on a bumble screen. They marched down the field on a 6-play 41 yard drive.
The Hokies’ ensuing two drives resulted in a punt and a wide-open miss of receiver Hezekiah Grimsley, which resulted in an interception. Furman took advantage of the second turnover by converting a 9-play 42-yard drive into the endzone.
Virginia Tech had a chance to add three more points, but Brian Johnson was unable to convert a 50-yard field goal, as the ball doinked off the upright and into the endzone.
It was 14-3 at halftime for Furman, with 5 penalties for Virginia Tech, multiple sacks allowed, 2 turnovers and 2.5 yards per carry.
The second half started strong for the Hokies, as they forced a three-and-out and responded with a 6-play 83-yard drive into the back of the endzone. Keshawn King had two key runs on the drive for 15-yards and 54-yards on back-to-back plays. James Mitchell converted a rushing touchdown on an end-around three yards out for a touchdown.
The ensuing drive for Furman was a one-play fumble, as Chamarri Conner secured the tackle and Dax Hollifield officially knocked the ball out. Virginia Tech had a short-field and marched 28-yards down the field for another touchdown on an endzone fade pass to Tre Turner.
Following a string of drives ending in punts, Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley was able to intercept a pass. Virginia Tech had a 5-play 62-yard drive, capped off with a Tre Turner 29-yard end-around touchdown. Hendon Hooker briefly entered the game and handed off the ball to Turner after Ryan Willis was forced out of action due to taking a big hit when he called his own number on a running play.
Furman responded with a field goal, to make the game a one score possession, during a fourth-and-goal. The Paladins had a chance with under two minutes to play, but their onside recovery was called back despite traveling 10-yards down field. They were forced to re-kick and Virginia Tech gained possession.
Virginia Tech improves to 2-1 following the near victory and heads into a much needed BYE week.