Virginia Tech flanker Dyrell Roberts is congratulated after scoring the winning touchdown against Nebraska. Related gallery
With an 11-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Dyrell Roberts, junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the No. 13 Hokies defeated No. 19 Nebraska 16-15 at Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The score was set up through an 81-yard hail-mary pass from Taylor to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Danny Coale, who missed reaching the end zone by three yards.
On the following play, a sack put the Hokies eight yards back but on the next play, Taylor connected with Roberts with 21 seconds left for the go-ahead score.
With little time remaining to answer, the Cornhuskers, starting their drive at their own 15-yard line, were penalized five yards for an illegal formation on their first play, which took nine seconds off the clock.
On the following play, Nebraska quarterback junior Zac Lee threw an interception to Tech redshirt senior rover Dorian Porch that signaled the end of the game and the victory for the Hokies.
"It was a great team win," redshirt junior defensive end Jason Worilds said. "Defensively we made some mistakes, and I can't speak for the offense but they came through when we needed them to."
The Hokies drew first blood in the game with redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams rushing for a one-yard touchdown with 11:15 in the first quarter.
Nebraska answered with three consecutive field goals by junior kicker Alex Henery who earned the Cornhuskers a 9-7 lead with 5:23 to play in the first half.
The Hokies responded on the following drive, regaining the lead on a field goal of their own by redshirt senior Matt Waldron who knocked it through from 39 yards out.
Not to be outdone, Henery and the Huskers hit their fourth field goal with 18 seconds left in the half and carried a 12-10 lead into halftime.
Both teams were then kept scoreless in the third quarter with the Hokies not earning a first down in the second half until the former part of the fourth quarter when Henery, who was perfect on the day and accounted for all of his team's points, struck again.
With four and a half minutes left to play in the game, Nebraska increased their lead to five points when Henery hit from 38-yards out.
Three drives later, though, the Hokies struck when it counted most, giving Tech a 16-15 lead and eventually, a win.
"When you have great players on the field, and have worked as hard and care about each other as much as this crowd does, that is what makes this possible," Tech head coach Frank Beamer said.
Nebraska's Lee, who came into the contest ranked seventh in the country in passing efficiency, completed 11 of the 30 passes he attempted, throwing for 136 yards and two interceptions. Junior running back Roy Helu, Jr. carried the ball 28 times for 169 yards.
"I take my hat off to Virginia Tech," Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini said. "It was a hard fought football game. In the end, we had plenty of opportunities to put that football game away and we didn't do it. And, they made the play at the end. I take my hat off to them."
In addition to his one score in the first half, Williams rushed 21 times on the day for 107 yards. Taylor completed 12 of 27 passes throwing for 192 yards, 92 of which came on the final drive.
"There's always a chance if you've got a Tyrod," Beamer said.
Leave a comment 12 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
congratulations Hokies! That was a tough loss for us Huskers, but a great come from behind victory for your first class program. I hope you all enjoy your victory celebration and that we get to meet again sometime. I hope our Husker fans cheered you off the field after the win. Good luck agains Miami. What a game. Mike
Reply to this Top
Thanks Mike. We hope that VT family treated you guys as well as you guys treated us when we made the trip to Lincoln last fall. I was at last years game and tonights games and think both schools represented very well. GO HOKIES, Fire Bryan Steinsprings for gods sake!
Reply to this Top
a win is a win. It would have been easier for VT to give up but they didn't. I think Nebraska blew it near the end when they had a 1st and goal and ended up punting. That could have been the difference. Man we need to be this loud again for Miami
Reply to this Top
I screwed up badly for most of the game, then when Tyrod was set loose to make his own calls in the final few minutes, we did great. I guess I need to resign.
Reply to this Top
Wow what a game, the thing is we should have lost that game and we were gonna lose that game because of the offense. I give credit to TT on the last few plays however for pulling the win. Stinespring needs to go, this game proves it out of all. "But at this moment, only one number mattered to quarterback Tyrod Taylor: five. He calls the plays in these final-minutes situations, and Stinespring gives him five plays to use. After a too-many-men penalty on Nebraska and 1-yard sack, Taylor huddled with the offense for second down and 6 at Tech's 16. He picked a play with one deep route. It belonged to Danny Coale." http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_football/article/VTFB20_20090919-223206/294246/ What does that show? Maybe we should let our players call the plays for now on!
Reply to this Top
It is becoming a trend for VT to average 5+ yards per carry over the first few possessions and then all-of-the-sudden abandon the run. Why? There are probably EA Sports - Madden 09 players out there that could call a better game.
Reply to this Top
You think we abandoned the run?! All we did all game was run and it worked..... once! One running play out of probably 50 actually netted us a sizable gain. Shameful offense. Truly embarrassing. Defense and luck were the only reason we got that win. God help us if Foster ever leaves.
Reply to this Top
I agree our showing on offense each week is just sad. It's like all we have is a defense these days. If Foster does ever leave, we could easily drop down to the bottom of the ACC as fast as UVA did. It has gotten to the point where its just painful to watch our offense on the field. Strinespring just plain sucks. He couldn't even make Tim Tebow look good.
Reply to this Top
As a long time Hurricane fan with a great respect for VT I wish you guys all the best next week. However if y'all can do me one favor and try to be a little quiet when the Canes have the ball we would appreciate it. Great win!!!
Reply to this Top
I cant speak for the fans, but I will do my best to give you (Canes) the ball as much Time of Possession as possible. Also, I will have to apologize in advanced for RW, I try sending him up the center for just a few yards so we can go 3/out, but he always finds a way to make yards. I'll have to work on fixing that.
Reply to this Top
I want to congratulate your football team on a close win. I thought we had you guys, but Taylor played one heck of a final drive. I wanted to take the time to tell you how impressed I was with Taylor after the game. He ran down our quarterback Zac Lee to tell him good game. That shows what kind of players you have there at VT!! I have always had respect for your program and coach. We here out in Western Nebraska appreciate the blue collar work ethic, and I know that is what your team is built upon. I am also impressed with the class of the ACC coaches and players in general. As many times as Bobby Bowden has broken our hearts, he always treated us with respect. Clemson was the same way last year in our bowl game, and we were lucky enough to get the win. Miami on the other hand… Well let’s just say that I will be cheering for you guys next week. Good luck the rest of the year!!
Reply to this Top
How about the D eh??? We might bend, but we didnt give up a single touchdown... nice work eh?
Reply to this Top