ACC Football Thomas Tripp reporter Spectacular Magazine
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Tar Heels Drop Opener to Hokies in a Defensive Battle

Thomas Tripp

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA – The Virginia Tech Hokies did the impossible versus #10 North Carolina Tar Heels by defeating them 17-10 in the season opener.

The Virginia Tech Hokies made sure not to disappoint their home crowd at Lane Stadium, as they eclipsed a huge upset victory in a pivotal matchup in the ACC Coastal Division. This was Virginia Tech’s first win at home over a ranked opponent since Saturday, September 26, 2009, when they defeated then-9th-ranked Miami (FL) by the score of 31-7. However, it was their first victory over a ranked opponent since Saturday, September 6, 2014, when they defeated then-No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus by the score of 35-21.

Redshirt Junior Quarterback Braxton Burmeister (La Jolla, CA) put the Hokies on the board, with a 4-yard touchdown run during 10:01 in the 1st Quarter, leading 7-0. They added another score when Burmeister threw an 11-yard pass to Junior Tight End James Mitchell (Big Stone Gap, Virginia), with 3:07 to go in the 2nd Quarter, when the Hokies led 14-0.

The tenacious defense of the Virginia Tech Hokies did a marvelous job of keeping the prolific Tar Heel quarterback Sam Howell (Junior – Waynesville, NC) under control by three interceptions and six sacks. His only touchdown pass came during 4:20 during the 3rd Quarter when he launched a 37-yard reception to Sophomore Wide Receiver Josh Downs (Suwanee, Georgia). The Tar Heels added another point in the 4th Quarter when Graduate Student kicker Grayson Atkins (Boiling Springs, SC) kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 17-10, in the Hokies favor, with 5:53 remaining.

The stars of the Virginia Tech defense were Tyjaun Garbutt, Amar Barno, Mario Kendricks, and Alan Tisdale. Sam Howell completed 17 passes for 32 attempts while amassing 208 passing yards and recorded a touchdown and three interceptions for North Carolina. 

Burmeister amassed 169 yards of passing while completing 12 of 19 passes with two touchdowns (one passing and one rushing) and an interception.

Next Saturday, the Tar Heels host Georgia State during their first home game of the season at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill at 7:30 PM. On the other hand, Virginia Tech hosts Middle Tennessee State at 2 PM.