Virginia Tech Football: Hokies keep bowl hopes alive with win over UVA

The Virginia Tech football team kept their bowl hopes alive, pulling out a 34-31 overtime victory over intra-state rival Virginia Friday evening.

After a wild fourth quarter that saw 31 points scored, the Hokies’ Brian Johnson knocked in a 42-yard field goal in the extra period for the win. Virginia Tech must defeat Marshall next Saturday to reach the six-win mark and gain bowl eligibility, keeping alive its 25-year bowl streak.

With under two minutes left in regulation, Hezekiah Grimsley recovered a fumble and scored to tie it at 31-all. That was after 17 straight points by the Cavaliers to gain the lead at 31-24 with just under three minutes to go.

Ryan Willis had 199 yards passing, Steven Peoples ran for 96 yards and freshman Tre Turner had four catches for 69 yards and a score to lead the Hokies. For Peoples, the 96 yards were his most since a September 156-yard performance vs. Old Dominion.

Bryce Perkins was all the offense Virginia needed in this one, as he threw for 259 yards with three touchdowns, adding another 112 yards on the ground. Joe Reed had four catches for 119 yards and two scores, recording his first 100-yard game of the year.

The Hokies jumped out a 14-0 lead when Willis threw a touchdown pass and the special teams blocked a punt, as Tre Turner did the damage and returned it for a score. All of that came in just under a minute in the second quarter.

Willis made a touchdown-saving tackle to end the first half. After throwing an interception, Willis caught Tim Harris right before he reached the end zone after a 62-yard return, bringing him down at the 10 and saving six points in the process.

Virginia Tech, which also forced a fumble to end Virginia’s overtime possession, will need to defeat Marshall next week at home to improve to 6-6.

The Cavaliers have lost two in a row, both coming in overtime to ACC rivals, and will sit at 7-5 ahead of their bowl game.