Ship Sunk! Tech Sends ECU Back Into the Depths of ConferenceUSA

(Top; Brett Warren intercepts a tipped pass; Bottom; Brandon Dillard holds on to make it a two score game)

AT
Week 1 2008
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium

Perhaps the Hokies were looking to far into the future. Coming into lowly East Carolina's Dowdy Stadium, the Hokies looked to roll over the unranked Pirates. However, the game was much closer than the final score would indicate. Virginia Tech couldn't get their offense moving throughout most of the first half, mustering only two field goals headed into the break. ECU managed to put a late 1st half touchdown on the board via Patrick Pinkney's 9 yard pass to Alex Taylor. However, the Hokie defense would hold strong to make sure that ECU wouldn't score again in the game.

Coming out of the tunnel in the second half, the Hokies came out reborn. Stingy defense and a little consistency on offense helped manufacture a field goal and a late 20 yard TD pass from T-Mobile to Brandon Dillard. Dillard was sandwiched between two defenders but still managed to hold on to give the Hokies a 16-7 lead. The lead would stand until the final play of the game, where All-American Victor Harris took a prayer from Patrick Pinkney and brought it back to the endzone for an 84 yard return, setting a record in the process.

Offensive POTG:
Tyrod Taylor 13/35 121 yds TD, 2 INT; 9 CAR 119 yards

Defensive POTG:
Brett Warren 5 TAK 3 TFL SACK INT DEFL


Scoring Summary
1ST QUARTER
1:13 FG VT: D. Keys, 33 yard FG

2nd Quarter
5:27 FG VT; D. Keys, 44 Yd FG
3:58 TD ECU: A. Taylor, 9 yd pass from P. Pinkney (B. Ryan kick)

3rd Quarter
3:10 FG VT; D. Keys, 25 yd FG
0:22 TD VT: B. Dillard, 20 yd pass from T. Taylor (D. Keys Kick)

4th Quarter
0:00 TD VT: V. Harris, returned interception 84 yds (2 PT GOOD)