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Virginia Tech football keeps ACC Coastal title hopes alive, shuts out Pitt 28-0

Posted at 7:10 PM, Nov 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-24 01:06:27-05

BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 23: Offensive lineman Bryan Hudson #61 of the Virginia Tech Hokies lines up to snap the ball. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)

BLACKSBURG, Va. (HokiesSports.com) – Hendon Hooker threw two touchdown passes, and Virginia Tech’s defense played another great game, as the Hokies cruised past Pittsburgh 28-0 in an ACC game played Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium.

Hooker threw touchdown passes to Tré Turner and Damon Hazelton, and Virginia Tech’s defense scored on a fumble return, as the Hokies won for the sixth time in their past seven games and moved to 8-3 overall, 5-2 in the ACC. Pittsburgh fell to 7-4, 4-3 in the ACC.

The Virginia Tech win sets up an in-state showdown Saturday with rival Virginia, with the victor claiming the ACC’s Coastal Division and the right to play in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 7.

The Hokies came up with the big play early in the game when Hooker found Tayvion Robinson for a 71-yard gain to the Pittsburgh 1. On the next play, tight end James Mitchell carried it in, and the extra point gave the Hokies a 7-0 lead with 3:16 left in the first quarter.

BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 23: Wide receiver Tayvion Robinson #83 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)

Moments later, Virginia Tech linebacker Rayshard Ashby forced Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett to fumble, and defensive tackle Norell Pollard scooped up the loose ball, running it 7 yards into the end zone for the Hokies’ second touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

The Hokies all but put the game away right before halftime. Virginia Tech went 90 yards in 12 plays, drawing Pittsburgh offsides on a fourth-and-2 from the Pittsburgh 40 and scoring three plays later on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Hooker to Turner that gave them a 21-0 lead.

Tech closed the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Hooker to Hazelton in the fourth quarter.

Tech’s defense held Pittsburgh to a season-low 177 yards. The Hokies sacked Pickett twice and forced a fumble.

GAME NOTES
• Hooker now has opened his career by throwing 110 passes without an interception – the best streak since Grant Noel went 108 passes without an interception (1999-2001).

• The Hokies have held their past three opponents to 301 total yards or less. None of those opponents rushed for more than 63 yards.

• Hazelton’s touchdown reception was his seventh of the season and the 19th of his career (15 at Tech, four at Ball State).

• Turner’s touchdown reception marked his third of the season and the seventh of his career.

BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is hit by defensive back Paris Ford. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)

• Robinson’s 71-yard reception in the first quarter was his longest of the season, surpassing his 32-yard reception against ODU.

• The 71-yard pass to Robinson is the longest of Hooker’s career. He completed a 67-yarder in the Hokies’ win at Miami.

• Mitchell’s touchdown marked his fourth rushing touchdown of the season and his sixth overall.

• Pollard’s touchdown marked the third by Tech’s defense this season (Divine Deablo fumble return vs. Notre Dame; Caleb Farley interception return vs. Georgia Tech).

UP NEXT
The Hokies now gear up for the Commonwealth Clash against rival Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. The game kicks off at noon. Tech has won the past 15 meetings in the series.