Collegiate Times

Tech running back Darren Evans breaks away from a Western Kentucky defender.

While the Western Kentucky offense came alive, the Tech offense sputtered. 

The Hokies only managed 26 total yards in the fourth quarter.  Although Taylor and Sean Glennon - who came in the third quarter - managed to go 13-for-18 passing for 142 yards, the Hilltoppers had four sacks and allowed only 12 passing yards in the final period.

Still, Western Kentucky was unable to progress down the field against the Tech defense, and the Hokies claimed their fifth straight win.

"Being 5-1 sounds pretty good, but we still have our work cut out for us," Beamer said.

The win also marks the 30th straight non-conference victory for Tech at Lane Stadium.  It also is the tenth consecutive win on Homecoming weekend.  Tech's last loss came in 1998 against the Temple Owls.

Western Kentucky struggled on third down conversions, going 3-for-14, and with penalties. The Hilltoppers were flagged 13 times for a total of 113 yards.

Tech did suffer one loss on the afternoon, however.  Tailback Kenny Lewis Jr. suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon injury on a running play early in the third quarter and will miss the remainder of the season.

"I told Kenny 'It's not fair.  I'm sorry it happened to you, but it's part of the game," said running backs coach Billy Hite.

Lewis, a junior, was the starting running back in each of the Hokies' first six games.

"He was very vocal," Taylor said.  "Guys were feeding off of him.  To see him go down was hard for us.  Hopefully we'll have some guys who will step up."

The Hokies will take a week off before traveling to Chestnut Hill, Mass., and a meeting with the Boston College Eagles on Oct. 18.  The Eagles are 4-1 overall and 1-1 in ACC play after beating the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 38-31, on Saturday. 

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