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Virginia Tech tries to beat Duke, move atop ACC Coastal

Oct 13, 2007 - 10:48 AM No. 12 Virginia Tech (5-1) at Duke (1-5) 12:00 pm EDT

DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer seemingly always can count on his defense and special teams to get out of jams.

Beamer would love a complete victory Saturday when his 12th-ranked Hokies visit Duke in Atlantic Coast Conference action.

With a victory, Virginia Tech (5-1, 2-0 ACC Coastal) would move into a first-place tie atop the division standings with Virginia, which is 3-0 in the league and plays a non-conference game Saturday.

Last week, Virginia Tech downed then-No. 22 Clemson on the road, 41-23, behind some vintage "Beamer Ball."

Victor "Macho" Harris returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score, Eddie Royal added an 82-yard punt return for a TD and D.J. Parker had a 32-yard interception return for another for the Hokies, who led 17-0 after one quarter.

The Hokies - who limited star tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller to a combined 12 yards on the ground - won despite a mediocre performance from their offense.

Freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor rushed for 118 yards but threw for just 65 yards and a touchdown.

Duke (1-5, 0-3 Coastal) has dropped three straight close games following its surprising 20-14 triumph at Northwestern on September 15, which ended the nation's longest losing streak at 22 games.

Last Saturday, the Blue Devils came up short at home against defending ACC champ Wake Forest, 41-36.

Thaddeus Lewis threw four touchdowns, including a 19-yarder to Austin Kelly with 1:05 to play. But the Demon Deacons recovered an onside kick to seal the game. Lewis also tossed two interceptions.

Virginia Tech has outscored Duke by a combined 128-17 the past three years, including 81-0 the last two.