Vandy's Valuable Victory Over Virginia Tech

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In a thrilling, season-opening clash between teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference, the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-0) vanquished the Virginia Tech Hokies (0-1) in overtime with a heart-stopping 34-27 victory on Aug. 31 in Nashville, Tenn.

Game Summary

Week 1 of the college football season did not disappoint. The game between Vandy and the Hokies delivered the excitement fans crave every fall Saturday.

In the middle of the first quarter, Vandy placekicker Brock Taylor knocked a 43-yard kick through the uprights for a 3-0 Commodores lead. That score held until the end of the quarter.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Dores quarterback Diego Pavia hooked up with Quincy Skinner Jr., who made a spectacular 14-yard touchdown reception. Vanderbilt then shut down the Hokies' offense, got the ball back, marched back down the field and scored on a 7-yard TD run by running back Sedrick Alexander. That gave the Commodores a seemingly commanding 17-point lead.

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However, Virginia Tech did not give up. Before the end of the second quarter, the Hokies drove deep into Vandy territory and kicked a field goal with less than one minute remaining to make the score 17-3 at halftime.

The Hokies dominated most of the third quarter, outscoring the Commodores 10-3 and trimming Vandy's lead to 20-13. The Hokies also flexed their muscles early on in the fourth quarter, scoring two consecutive TDs on passes from Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones to Bhayshul Tuten (11 yards) and Ali Jennings (62 yards). With the latter score, the Hokies took the lead for the first time in the game, 27-20.

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But the Commodores refused to relent. Jennings' score for the Hokies came with 4:21 left in the game. Vandy took the ensuing kickoff and stormed down the field. Led by skillful play from Pavia, Vandy navigated its way to the Virginia Tech 8-yard line. Alexander scored his second TD of the game, receiving a well-executed pass from Pavia with 1:51 remaining in the game.

With the score tied at 27, Virginia Tech had the opportunity to drive, score and seal a victory. However, the Commodores' defense stood up and stopped the Hokies, getting the ball back for the Dores' offense. After an excellent punt return, Vanderbilt was well-positioned to close out the game in regulation. Vandy once again moved down the field and had an opportunity to win the game with a field goal attempt as time expired. However, the kick sailed wide right and the game went into overtime.

Vandy scored on its first overtime possession on a deft 4-yard run by Pavia, then bowed up and stopped Virginia Tech on its first overtime possession. The game ended on an incomplete pass on fourth down from backup quarterback Collin Schnee on the 12-yard line. Vandy fans rushed the field to celebrate.

Expectations were tamped down shortly thereafter: "Winning in the SEC requires playing four quarters," Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea said. "Today, we only played three. We were missing in the third quarter."

Turning Point for Vandy

The Hokies committed a critical mistake in the third quarter that paved the way for Vandy's only points in that quarter. After stopping a Vandy drive and forcing a punt attempt, two defenders wore the same-numbered jersey on the punting play, resulting in a penalty on the Hokies. It advanced the ball far enough upfield to allow for Vandy to attempt a field goal. Taylor then booted a 53-yarder. Had it not been for this "jersey mistake" by the Hokies, the game might not have made it to overtime.

The Upshot

This thrilling Vandy victory over Virginia Tech is not a good look for the ACC. The Commodores are generally regarded as one of the worst teams in the SEC. Conversely, the Hokies were considered a contender for the ACC crown this year.

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The Hokies have the opportunity to begin the recovery process on Sept. 7 when they host Marshall in Blacksburg, Va.

The Commodores now look to build on this tremendous start to the season. Their next two opponents are the Alcorn State Braves and the Georgia State Panthers. A 3-0 start may be in the cards for the Dores.