GAME THREAD: NCAAF: EAST CAROLINA at VIRGINIA TECH

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- Virginia Tech finally got backto football. And after stalling initially, Sean Glennon and therest of the Hokies eventually took care of business.

Glennon overcame some early jitters and passed for 245 yardswhile Virginia Tech's defense flexed its muscles as theninth-ranked Hokies grinded out a 17-7 victory over EastCarolina on Saturday afternoon.


The contest marked the first time football was played inBlacksburg since the tragic events of April 16, when a studentkilled 32 people before taking his own life in what was thedeadliest shooting in modern American history.


After a tear-filled pregame ceremony in honor of the victims,the Hokies appeared somewhat distracted by the overwhelmingoutpouring of emotion at Lane Stadium.


One of the biggest culprits was Glennon, who was intercepted bylinebacker Pierre Ball on Virginia Tech's first play fromscrimmage. It was a precursor for a sloppy offensiveperformance, as the Hokies managed just 278 yards of totaloffense - including 33 on the ground.


But the Hokies' star-studded defense - which led the nation lastseason in the fewest yards and fewest points allowed - answeredthe call, allowing just 261 yards of total offense.

The defense gave Virginia Tech (1-0) the lead for good with 3:07remaining in the first half when cornerback Victor "Macho"Harris intercepted Brett Clay at the ECU 17-yard line and tookit back to the end zone to give the Hokies a 10-7 advantage.

After stumbling through a scoreless third quarter, the Hokies'offense finally broke through with 13:07 left in the contestwhen Glennon hooked up with tight end Sam Wheeler for a 21-yardtouchdown strike, capping a seven-play drive and pushing thelead to 17-7.


Glennon completed 21-of-31 passes while Wheeler finished withseven receptions for 81 yards - both career highs. VirginiaTech's star running back Branden Ore struggled, however, rushingfor just 70 yards on 23 carries.


Justin Harper hauled in a career-high five receptions for 64yards for the Hokies, who improved to 19-2 in home openers undercoach Frank Beamer.


Patrick Pinkney was solid but unspectacular for ECU (0-1),completing 14-of-25 attempts for 115 yards while rushing for 48yards on nine carries.


Ironically, the Pirates looked like the inspired team in thefirst half.


Trailing, 3-0, with three minutes remaining in the openingquarter, ECU silenced the capacity crowd of 66,233 whenlinebacker Quentin Cotton forced Ore to fumble and safety JerekHewett made the recovery at the Pirates 48.


The Pirates carried that momentum to the offensive side of theball, as Pinkney orchestrated a nine-play, 52-yard drive cappedby Chris Johnson's two-yard TD plunge 37 seconds into the secondquarter.


Virginia Tech was forced to punt on its next three offensivepossessions, but the Lane Stadium crowd finally was given areason to cheer on Harris' interception return.


Although Pinkney continuously dodged Virginia Tech's pass rush,the junior could not help ECU generate any points in the secondhalf.


Dominique Lindsay ran for 50 yards on just 10 carries for thePirates, who collected 142 yards on the ground and controlledthe football for nearly 32 minutes.

 

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- Virginia Tech finally got backto football. And after stalling initially, Sean Glennon and therest of the Hokies eventually took care of business.

Glennon overcame some early jitters and passed for 245 yardswhile Virginia Tech's defense flexed its muscles as theninth-ranked Hokies grinded out a 17-7 victory over EastCarolina on Saturday afternoon.


The contest marked the first time football was played inBlacksburg since the tragic events of April 16, when a studentkilled 32 people before taking his own life in what was thedeadliest shooting in modern American history.


"I thought our fans and the Hokie Nation did their part, and wetried," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "Our playersplayed hard, and though sometimes we didn't play really well, Ithought it was a great atmosphere in there."


Beamer, who essentially has served as a school spokesman in thefive-month aftermath of the campus shootings, seemed relieved tohave finally played through the long-awaited season opener.

But the Hokies coach also admitted his team has a lot of kinksto work out prior to next week's clash with second-rankedLouisiana State.


"I think everybody was eager to get this game in," Beamer said."Thank goodness we were able to win it over a very goodfootball team, but now it's time to learn from it and be betternext week."


After a tear-filled pregame ceremony in honor of the victims,the Hokies appeared somewhat distracted by the overwhelmingoutpouring of emotion at Lane Stadium.


One of the biggest culprits was Glennon, who was intercepted bylinebacker Pierre Ball on Virginia Tech's first play fromscrimmage. It was a precursor for a sloppy offensiveperformance, as the Hokies managed just 278 yards of totaloffense - including 33 on the ground.


"We're not magical healers or anything," Glennon said. "Themost we can do is go out and show that we're giving every ounceof effort for the fans, for the families, for this community."

But the Hokies' star-studded defense - which led the nation lastseason in the fewest yards and fewest points allowed - answeredthe call, allowing just 261 yards of total offense.

The defense gave Virginia Tech (1-0) the lead for good with 3:07remaining in the first half when cornerback Victor "Macho"Harris intercepted Brett Clay at the ECU 17-yard line and tookit back to the end zone to give the Hokies a 10-7 advantage.

"Whenever I get to touch the ball, I'm thinking end zone,"Harris said. "And I'm pretty sure everyone our team is thinkingthe same way - that's our mentality.


"We're not trying to be average and we're not trying to be good- we're trying to be great. Whenever we have an opportunitylike that, we're going to make the best of it."


After stumbling through a scoreless third quarter, the Hokies'offense finally broke through with 13:07 left in the contestwhen Glennon hooked up with tight end Sam Wheeler for a 21-yardtouchdown strike, capping a seven-play drive and pushing thelead to 17-7.


"It was such an emotional state out there on the field," Wheelersaid. "It's a great feeling to come out with a victory."

Glennon completed 21-of-31 passes while Wheeler finished withseven receptions for 81 yards - both career highs. VirginiaTech's star running back Branden Ore struggled, however, rushingfor just 70 yards on 23 carries.


"Anybody can be the man in any game and have the opportunity tomake catches," Wheeler said. "I wasn't expecting to come outwith those stats. I was just trying to get out there and playhard, help the offensive line get good protection for ourquarterback."


Justin Harper hauled in a career-high five receptions for 64yards for the Hokies, who improved to 19-2 in home openers undercoach Frank Beamer.


Patrick Pinkney was solid but unspectacular for ECU (0-1),completing 14-of-25 attempts for 115 yards while rushing for 48yards on nine carries.


Ironically, the Pirates looked like the inspired team in thefirst half.


Trailing, 3-0, with three minutes remaining in the openingquarter, ECU silenced the capacity crowd of 66,233 whenlinebacker Quentin Cotton forced Ore to fumble and safety JerekHewett made the recovery at the Pirates 48.


The Pirates carried that momentum to the offensive side of theball, as Pinkney orchestrated a nine-play, 52-yard drive cappedby Chris Johnson's 2-yard TD plunge 37 seconds into the secondquarter.


Virginia Tech was forced to punt on its next three offensivepossessions, but the Lane Stadium crowd finally was given areason to cheer on Harris' interception return.


Although Pinkney continuously dodged Virginia Tech's pass rush,the junior could not help ECU generate any points in the secondhalf.


Despite ECU's offensive shortcomings, Pirates coach Skip Holtzwas pleased that his team participated in the nationallytelevised contest.


"It was a special day," Holtz said. "It was neat for us to havean opportunity to be a part of it."


Dominique Lindsay ran for 50 yards on just 10 carries for thePirates, who collected 142 yards on the ground and controlledthe football for nearly 32 minutes.


"I give East Carolina credit - they did a good job," Beamersaid. "We certainly need to look at what we did and why itwasn't successful, but I think it's one of those times that youlook at, learn from and get better.


"I don't question anyone's effort - I don't think effort isgoing to be an issue. We just need to look at it and see wherewe go from here."

 

NCAAF: EAST CAROLINA at VIRGINIA TECH

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NCAAF
EAST CAROLINA 7
VIRGINIA TECH (9) 17 FINAL</div>