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Virginia Tech holds off Howell, No. 10 North Carolina 17-10
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Virginia Tech didn't appear to get much consideration when the experts tabbed No. 10 North Carolina and No. 14 Miami as the teams to beat in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division.
They will now.
Braxton Burmeister ran for a touchdown and threw for another and Virginia Tech made Sam Howell look pedestrian in a 17-10 victory over North Carolina on Friday night in the opener for both teams.
Burmeister scored on a 4-yard run and found James Mitchell for an 11-yard scoring strike as the Hokies built a 14-0 lead they took into halftime. The defense did the rest, sacking Howell six times and intercepting three passes.
''We kept putting them back out there in the second half,'' Hokies coach Justin Fuente said about the defense, which allowed 354 yards. ''We couldn't put the game away but the defense continued to rise to the occasion.''
They struggled to put the game away in the second half until the final minute when they chased Howell from the pocket at the Virginia Tech 40 and he tried to find a teammate while defensive end Jordan Williams held him by an ankle.
Howell, who'd thrown eight touchdown passes in two prior games against Virginia Tech, whirled to get away, then threw right to Chamarri Conner.
The play was reviewed, and when the officials announced that it was an interception, the sellout crowd at Lane Stadium erupted with relief.
Many fans joined the team in celebration on the field after the game, which marked the first time since 2019 that fan attendance was not limited.
The Tar Heels, who arrived with their highest preseason ranking since 1997, had the ball for just 9:11 in the first half and only avoided being down by more because Keshaun King fumbled the ball away at the Tar Heels 9.
''Obviously, now the shine's off and the rating sure doesn't matter tonight,'' Tar Heels coach Mack Brown said. ''We were overrated with the way we played.''
The Hokies dominated the clock in the first half, slowing things down to avoid the kind of shootout they had with UNC last season. In that one, the Tar Heels rolled up 656 yards and beat a virus and injury decimated defense 56-45.
''When the clock was running, we just wanted it to keep running,'' Fuente said.
Howell did become the Tar Heels' career touchdown pass leader with 69 when Josh Downs took a screen pass 37 yards for a score in the third quarter, but he was unable to find his usual magic late.
IN THE AREA
Fuente said he thought Burmeister was trying to hit Tayvion Robinson in the back of the end zone on the touchdown pass, but Mitchell cut it off.
''I saw both of them,'' Burmeister said, ''and I was like one of them is going to catch it.''
THE TAKEAWAY
North Carolina: The Tar Heels' need to replace Howell's top two targets from last season was hampered greatly by the play of the Hokies secondary, which often caused him to hold onto the ball for a long time. In one stretch, Howell was sacked on three consecutive plays after dropping back to pass.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies drove for two touchdowns and to the North Carolina 10 on their first three possessions, failing to score on the middle drive when King fumbled the ball away. They then played conservatively until Howell's pass to Downs got the Tar Heels on the board at 14-7.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Tar Heels' ranking was their highest in the preseason since the 1997 team was No. 7, but they will surely tumble. The Hokies got no votes in the preseason, but are likely to at least get some consideration going forward,
UP NEXT
The Tar Heels will be at home to face Georgia State on Saturday.
The Hokies remain at home and face Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
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Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
J. Downs
11 WR 123 ReYds, ReTD, 8 RECs |
|
B. Burmeister
5 QB 169 PaYds, PaTD, INT, 53 RuYds, RuTD |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 18 | 18 |
Rushing | 9 | 10 |
Passing | 8 | 7 |
Penalty | 1 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 2-10 | 6-13 |
4th Down Conv | 2-3 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 354 | 296 |
Total Plays | 63 | 1 |
Avg Gain | 5.6 | 296.0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 146 | 127 |
Rush Attempts | 30 | 44 |
Avg Rush Yards | 4.9 | 2.9 |
Yards Passing | 208 | 169 |
Comp. - Att. | 17-33 | 12-19 |
Yards Per Pass | 4.4 | 8.0 |
Penalties - Yards | 5-44 | 2-25 |
Touchdowns | 1 | 2 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-0 | 2-1 |
Int. Thrown | 3 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 4-42.3 | 4-44.3 |
Return Yards | 0 | -1 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 1--1 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 1-0 | 3-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
S. Howell
7 QB
|
S. Howell | 17/32 | 208 | 1 | 3 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
T. Chandler
19 RB
|
T. Chandler | 10 | 66 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jones
26 RB
|
D. Jones | 6 | 43 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Howell
7 QB
|
S. Howell | 13 | 35 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hood
4 RB
|
C. Hood | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Downs
11 WR
|
J. Downs | 9 | 8 | 123 | 1 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Simmons
0 WR
|
E. Simmons | 9 | 3 | 46 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Green
3 WR
|
A. Green | 3 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Chandler
19 RB
|
T. Chandler | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Walston
84 TE
|
G. Walston | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jones
26 RB
|
D. Jones | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Brown
1 WR
|
K. Brown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Olson
83 WR
|
J. Olson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
T. Morrison
4 DB
|
T. Morrison | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Fox
12 LB
|
T. Fox | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Conley
0 DB
|
J. Conley | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. Atkins
17 K
|
G. Atkins | 1/1 | 31 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. Kiernan
91 P
|
B. Kiernan | 4 | 42.3 | 1 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
B. Burmeister
3 QB
|
B. Burmeister | 12/19 | 169 | 1 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
B. Burmeister
3 QB
|
B. Burmeister | 9 | 53 | 1 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Holston
0 RB
|
J. Holston | 13 | 49 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Robinson
9 WR
|
T. Robinson | 2 | 25 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Blackshear
5 RB
|
R. Blackshear | 11 | 16 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Turner
11 WR
|
T. Turner | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. King
23 RB
|
K. King | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
R. Blackshear
5 RB
|
R. Blackshear | 5 | 3 | 66 | 0 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Turner
11 WR
|
T. Turner | 6 | 4 | 64 | 0 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Mitchell
82 TE
|
J. Mitchell | 3 | 3 | 36 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Robinson
9 WR
|
T. Robinson | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Deiuliis
89 TE
|
D. Deiuliis | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
A. Barno
11 DL
|
A. Barno | 1-1 | 2.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Tisdale
34 LB
|
A. Tisdale | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Garbutt
45 DL
|
T. Garbutt | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Kendricks
22 DL
|
M. Kendricks | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Waller
2 DB
|
J. Waller | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Conner
1 DB
|
C. Conner | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hollifield
4 LB
|
D. Hollifield | 0-1 | 0.5 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Romo
96 K
|
J. Romo | 1/2 | 48 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
P. Moore
85 P
|
P. Moore | 4 | 44.3 | 1 | 51 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Robinson 9 WR
|
T. Robinson | 1 | -1.0 | -1 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:01 | UNC 25 | 1:43 | 5 | 10 | Punt |
0:45 | UNC 9 | 5:21 | 10 | 52 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
3:07 | UNC 25 | 1:37 | 3 | 8 | Punt |
0:09 | UNC 27 | 0:27 | 5 | 43 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | UNC 25 | 2:02 | 3 | 8 | Punt |
11:19 | UNC 24 | 2:09 | 6 | 40 | INT |
7:15 | UNC 39 | 2:55 | 6 | 61 | TD |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:03 | UNC 25 | 1:44 | 6 | 18 | Downs |
12:27 | UNC 30 | 0:39 | 2 | 1 | INT |
9:39 | UNC 20 | 3:46 | 9 | 66 | FG |
3:17 | UNC 13 | 2:40 | 9 | 47 | INT |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | VATECH 25 | 4:59 | 8 | 75 | TD |
8:18 | VATECH 35 | 7:31 | 12 | 56 | Fumble |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:26 | VATECH 20 | 7:19 | 12 | 80 | TD |
1:30 | VATECH 30 | 1:03 | 3 | -8 | Punt |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:58 | VATECH 18 | 1:39 | 3 | 8 | Punt |
9:10 | VATECH 25 | 1:55 | 3 | -2 | Punt |
4:20 | VATECH 25 | 5:02 | 8 | 45 | FG |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:34 | UNC 43 | 0:07 | 1 | 0 | INT |
11:48 | UNC 36 | 2:09 | 6 | 23 | FG Miss |
5:51 | VATECH 25 | 2:36 | 4 | 24 | Punt |
0:37 | VATECH 32 | 0:37 | 4 | -1 | Game |
- Touchdown (8 plays, 75 yards, 4:59 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) J.Kim kicks 65 yards from NC 35 to the VT End Zone. Touchback. |
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - VATECH 25 (15:00 - 1st) B.Burmeister pass complete to VT 25. Catch made by T.Turner at VT 25. Gain of 9 yards. Tackled by NC at VT 34. |
+3 YD | 2 & 1 - VATECH 34 (14:22 - 1st) B.Burmeister rushed to VT 37 for 3 yards. Tackled by NC at VT 37. |
+33 YD | 1 & 10 - VATECH 37 (13:44 - 1st) B.Burmeister pass complete to VT 37. Catch made by R.Blackshear at VT 37. Gain of 33 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 30. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 30 (13:03 - 1st) J.Holston rushed to NC 26 for 4 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 26. |
+1 YD | 2 & 6 - UNC 26 (12:18 - 1st) K.King rushed to NC 25 for 1 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 25. |
+16 YD | 3 & 5 - UNC 25 (11:26 - 1st) T.Robinson rushed to NC 9 for 16 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 9. |
+5 YD | 1 & 9 - UNC 9 (10:40 - 1st) J.Holston rushed to NC 4 for 5 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 4. |
+4 YD | 2 & 4 - UNC 4 (10:05 - 1st) B.Burmeister rushed to NC End Zone for 4 yards. B.Burmeister for 4 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (10:01 - 1st) J.Romo extra point is good. |
- Punt (5 plays, 10 yards, 1:43 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (10:01 - 1st) J.Romo kicks 40 yards from VT 35 to the NC 25. Fair catch by T.Chandler. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - UNC 25 (10:01 - 1st) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell pass incomplete intended for A.Green. |
+13 YD | 2 & 10 - UNC 25 (9:57 - 1st) S.Howell pass complete to NC 25. Catch made by J.Downs at NC 25. Gain of 13 yards. Tackled by VT at NC 38. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - UNC 38 (9:29 - 1st) PENALTY on NC-A.Green False Start 5 yards accepted. |
+2 YD | 1 & 15 - UNC 33 (9:19 - 1st) S.Howell rushed to NC 35 for 2 yards. Tackled by VT at NC 35. |
No Gain | 2 & 13 - UNC 35 (8:42 - 1st) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell pass incomplete intended for J.Downs. |
No Gain | 3 & 13 - UNC 35 (8:31 - 1st) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell pass incomplete intended for E.Simmons. |
Punt | 4 & 13 - UNC 35 (8:27 - 1st) B.Kiernan punts 30 yards to VT 21 Center-D.Little. T.Robinson returned punt from the VT 21. Tackled by NC at VT 20. PENALTY on NC-O.Egbuna Personal Foul / Defense 15 yards accepted. |
- Fumble (12 plays, 56 yards, 7:31 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - VATECH 35 (8:18 - 1st) B.Burmeister pass complete to VT 35. Catch made by J.Mitchell at VT 35. Gain of 5 yards. Tackled by NC at VT 40. |
+11 YD | 2 & 5 - VATECH 40 (7:38 - 1st) R.Blackshear rushed to NC 49 for 11 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 49. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 49 (7:00 - 1st) R.Blackshear rushed to NC 44 for 5 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 44. |
No Gain | 2 & 5 - UNC 44 (6:15 - 1st) K.King rushed to NC 44 for 0 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 44. |
+6 YD | 3 & 5 - UNC 44 (5:30 - 1st) B.Burmeister rushed to NC 38 for 6 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 38. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 38 (4:49 - 1st) J.Holston rushed to NC 35 for 3 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 35. |
+6 YD | 2 & 7 - UNC 35 (4:09 - 1st) J.Holston rushed to NC 29 for 6 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 29. |
+1 YD | 3 & 1 - UNC 29 (3:25 - 1st) J.Holston rushed to NC 28 for 1 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 28. |
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 28 (2:52 - 1st) J.Holston rushed to NC 20 for 8 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 20. |
+3 YD | 2 & 2 - UNC 20 (2:12 - 1st) J.Holston rushed to NC 17 for 3 yards. Tackled by NC at NC 17. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 17 (1:35 - 1st) B.Burmeister rushed to NC 10 for 7 yards. B.Burmeister ran out of bounds. |
+1 YD | 2 & 3 - UNC 10 (0:55 - 1st) K.King rushed to NC 9 for 1 yards. K.King FUMBLES forced by T.Morrison. Fumble RECOVERED by NC-J.Conley at NC 10. Tackled by VT at NC 10. |
- Punt (10 plays, 52 yards, 5:21 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+23 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 9 (0:47 - 1st) S.Howell pass complete to NC 9. Catch made by E.Simmons at NC 9. Gain of 23 yards. Tackled by VT at NC 32. |
-2 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 32 (0:27 - 1st) T.Chandler rushed to NC 30 for -2 yards. Tackled by VT at NC 30. |
+2 YD | 2 & 12 - UNC 30 (15:00 - 2nd) T.Chandler rushed to NC 32 for 2 yards. Tackled by VT at NC 32. |
+14 YD | 3 & 10 - UNC 32 (14:29 - 2nd) S.Howell rushed to NC 46 for 14 yards. Tackled by VT at NC 46. |
+10 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 46 (14:01 - 2nd) S.Howell pass complete to NC 46. Catch made by A.Green at NC 46. Gain of 10 yards. Tackled by VT at VT 44. |
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - VATECH 44 (13:40 - 2nd) T.Chandler rushed to VT 35 for 9 yards. Tackled by VT at VT 35. |
+6 YD | 2 & 1 - VATECH 35 (13:18 - 2nd) T.Chandler rushed to VT 29 for 6 yards. Tackled by VT at VT 29. |
Sack | 1 & 10 - VATECH 29 (12:52 - 2nd) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell sacked at VT 30 for -1 yards (A.Tisdale) |
+4 YD | 2 & 11 - VATECH 30 (12:14 - 2nd) T.Chandler rushed to VT 26 for 4 yards. Tackled by VT at VT 26. |
Sack | 3 & 7 - VATECH 26 (11:25 - 2nd) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell sacked at VT 39 for -13 yards (M.Kendricks) |
Punt | 4 & 20 - VATECH 39 (10:37 - 2nd) B.Kiernan punts 39 yards to VT End Zone Center-D.Little. Touchback. |