Final - OT
Journell kicks Hokies past Yellow Jackets
Sep 4, 2012 - 4:19 AM Blacksburg, VA (Sports Network) - Cody Journell made a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation, then hit the game-winner in overtime, as the No. 16 Virginia Tech Hokies opened the season with a 20-17 Labor Day victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.Journell missed a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter but delivered a 41-yarder through the uprights as time expired. In overtime, a costly interception by Tevin Washington led to the junior kicker's 17-yard game- winner.
Logan Thomas completed 21-of-38 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in the first-ever overtime game at Lane Stadium.
The junior signal caller threw a five-yard, first-quarter touchdown pass to Eric Martin and hit freshman Demitri Knowles for a 42-yard score midway through the fourth.
Marcus Davis finished with 82 yards on six catches for the Hokies (1-0, 1-0 ACC), who went 11-3 last season and captured the Coastal Division crown before falling to the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship Game and Michigan in the Sugar Bowl.
Knowles' first collegiate catch put Virginia Tech up 14-10 with 7:46 remaining but Washington, who led the Yellow Jackets to an 8-5 record and a second-place finish in the Coastal Division in 2011, responded with a 72-yard touchdown drive.
Primarily a running quarterback, the senior highlighted the march with a pair of clutch completions. On 4th-and-6, he bought time before finding B.J. Bostic surrounded by defenders near the sideline for a 19-yard connection. Four plays later, he found Deon Hill on a crossing route for a 10-yard score and a 17-14 advantage with 44 seconds to go.
But Thomas, who amassed a school-record 3,482 yards last season, completed all four passes during a quick 51-yard march and Journell atoned for his earlier miss with the tying field goal.
Washington couldn't repeat his aerial success in overtime. Facing a 3rd-and-6 from the 10-yard-line, he unfurled an errant pass while being brought to the ground.
Kyle Fuller intercepted the throw near the goal line and Michael Holmes ripped off runs of six and 18 yards on the Hokies' possession to set up Journell's short game-winner.
Earlier, Robert Godhigh had a 12-yard rushing touchdown for the Yellow Jackets (0-1, 0-1), as a sluggish start from both teams led to a 7-7 game at the half.
David Scully made a 34-yard field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter to put Georgia Tech on top, 10-7.
Game Notes
These two teams have combined to win every Coastal Division crown since 2005 ... Virginia Tech holds a 7-3 edge in the all-time series ... The Hokies played in four overtime games prior to Monday with all of those contests coming on the road ... Washington finished with 96 yards on 10-of-15 passing and added 63 yards on 19 carries.
- #1 Cards Fan Epic is a bit much, but it was a decent game. Good luck Hokies...it looks like you're going to need it the rest of the season!
Georgia Tech 17, Virginia Tech(16) 20 Final - OTSep 4 12:30 AM - GEORGIA TECH: 17
VIRGINIA TECH: 20
Final - OT
Sep 3 11:25 PM - Virginia Tech Field Goal - 17-yarder by Cody Journell.
Georgia Tech 17, Virginia Tech(16) 20 OTSep 3 11:25 PM - GEORGIA TECH: 17
VIRGINIA TECH: 17
OT
Sep 3 11:17 PM - GEORGIA TECH: 17
VIRGINIA TECH: 17
End of Regulation
Sep 3 11:12 PM - 261
rootsRUWTbot Added 25 roots (Close Finish, Overtime, Upset)
Georgia Tech 17, Virginia Tech(16) 17 End of Reg.Sep 3 11:12 PM - Georgia Tech Touchdown - Tevin Washington pass to Deon Hill for 10 yards.
Georgia Tech 16, Virginia Tech(16) 14 4th - 0:44Sep 3 11:05 PM - 231
rootsRUWTbot Added 59 roots (Close Finish, Upset)
Georgia Tech 16, Virginia Tech(16) 14 4th - 0:44Sep 3 11:03 PM - 167
roots - 159
roots - 151
roots - 137
roots - 124
rootsRUWTbot Took away 13 roots (Close Finish)
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 14 4th - 7:46Sep 3 10:47 PM - Virginia Tech Touchdown - Logan Thomas pass to Demetri Knowles for 42 yards.
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 13 4th - 7:46Sep 3 10:47 PM - 137
rootsRUWTbot Took away 27 roots (Close Finish)
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 13 4th - 7:46Sep 3 10:47 PM - 164
rootsRUWTbot Added 15 roots (Close Finish, Upset)
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 7 4th - 8:50Sep 3 10:43 PM - 149
rootsRUWTbot Added 12 roots (Close Finish, Upset)
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 7 4th - 10:30Sep 3 10:38 PM - 137
rootsRUWTbot Added 11 roots (Close Finish, Upset)
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 7 4th - 12:30Sep 3 10:33 PM - 126
rootsRUWTbot Added 14 roots (Close Finish, Upset)
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 7 4th - 14:03Sep 3 10:30 PM - Georgia Tech Field Goal - 34-yarder by David Scully.
Georgia Tech 10, Virginia Tech(16) 7 4th - 14:57Sep 3 10:26 PM - 112
roots - GEORGIA TECH: 7
VIRGINIA TECH: 7
End of 3rd
Sep 3 10:22 PM - GEORGIA TECH: 7
VIRGINIA TECH: 7
Halftime
Sep 3 9:28 PM - Georgia Tech Touchdown - Robert Godhigh rushed for 12 yards.
Georgia Tech 6, Virginia Tech(16) 7 2nd - 14:34Sep 3 8:49 PM - GEORGIA TECH: 0
VIRGINIA TECH: 7
End of 1st
Sep 3 8:48 PM - Virginia Tech Touchdown - Logan Thomas pass to Eric Martin for 5 yards.
Georgia Tech 0, Virginia Tech(16) 6 1st - 6:12Sep 3 8:21 PM - GEORGIA TECH: 0
VIRGINIA TECH: 0
1st Quarter - 15:00
Sep 3 8:02 PM
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