Virginia Tech Football: Hokies reach ninth win with shutout vs. Virginia
By Dana Becker
Virginia Tech football brought their defense on Friday night, shutting out Virginia and earning the ninth win of the season for the Hokies.
A series dominated by Virginia Tech was as one-sided as ever this time around. The Hokies (9-3, 5-3 ACC) held the Cavaliers (6-6, 3-5) to five yards rushing and just 191 yards total on the offensive side of the ball.
Josh Jackson, a redshirt freshman, tossed his 19th touchdown of the season for the lone score of the game. Brian Johnson knocked through a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter for the other points.
Jackson was efficient, completing 14 of 21 for 143 yards. He also added 38 yards on the ground. Both Deshawn McClease and Steven Peoples ran for 71 yards as the Hokies racked up 345 yards of total offense.
The struggles for Virginia running back Jordan Ellis continued, as the junior ran for just nine yards on 10 carries. He has failed to crack 60 yards in a game since a 136-yard performance vs. North Carolina back on October 14. In the five games prior to that effort, Ellis was held under 80 yards just once.
Virginia’s season started to dwindle downward following that win over North Carolina, as the Cavaliers closed 1-5. They lost by double digits to Boston College, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Miami and Virginia Tech around a four-point victory over Georgia Tech.
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Virginia Tech has now won 14 in a row in the battle of in-state rivals dubbed the “Commonwealth Cup.” The run dates back to when they joined the ACC in 2004. After starting the season 4-0, the Hokies lost to Clemson, 31-17. They won three in a row before back-to-back defeats by Miami and Georgia Tech, but closed with two consecutive wins.
Both Virginia Tech and Virginia are expected to go bowling next month when bids are handed out.