Tar Heels spoil Frank Beamer’s home farewell, clinch ACC Coastal (Video)

The North Carolina Tar Heels came into an emotional Lane Stadium in Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech in what was head coach Frank Beamer’s final home game.

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The emotions were flowing in Lane Stadium, as fans and players paid tribute to longtime head coach Frank Beamer in what would be his final home game in Blacksburg. The Hokies were all set to send him out on a winning note and clinch a 23rd straight bowl appearance.

Someone forgot to give the Tar Heels that memo.

North Carolina blew a 14-point lead only to come back and win the game 30-27 in overtime, clinching the ACC Coastal title and a shot at the No. 1 Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship game.

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Despite the loss, it was an exciting and memorable day in Lane Stadium, beginning with Metallica’s video tribute to the head coach before the team’s traditional entrance to their hit song Enter Sandman, all the way through the VT marching band writing “Thank You Frank” on the field during their halftime performance.

The always rambunctious Lane Stadium crowd began the afternoon with a chorus of “Thank-You….Beamer” chants echoing from side to side, and the coach himself was seen visibly moved by all the attention, even shedding a few tears at times.

Up until the final play, it couldn’t have been scripted any better for the Hokies. Coming in against the No. 17 team in the nation who had yet to lose an ACC game, Virginia Tech played their hearts out, forcing unlikely turnovers and refusing to give up even when the game looked to be over. Beamer was obviously emotional and proud as he walked out of Lane Stadium for the final time, saying he was proud of his players, and tipping a cap to the fans.

The Hokies aren’t out of bowl contention yet. At 5-6, a win next week on the road against Virginia will make them bowl eligible, but the idea of a win at home against a ranked team to get there was probably a much sweeter prospect.