Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Virginia Tech Hokies
· NCAA - FootballJai Patel's late field goal lifts Rutgers over Virginia Tech 26-23
Patel’s field goal capped a 68-yard drive after Rutgers (3-0) squandered a 16-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but hung on to register its first road win of the season and its 10th consecutive nonconference victory.
“When you get after somebody and then it flips like that, it’s very, very hard, especially in their stadium, to be able to pull it back and go win the game,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “And that’s what we did. I’m proud of the guys. We certainly have a lot to clean up, but in many ways, this game is going to help us. I believe that, just going through this experience together.”
Virginia Tech (2-2) took over at its 25-yard line after Patel’s field goal, but on the third play of the drive, quarterback Kyron Drones’ pass was intercepted by Rutgers’ Robert Longerbeam to seal the win for the Scarlet Knights.
“I was coming on the blitz and I saw the quarterback was about to throw the ball, but I was too far,” said Longerbeam, a native of Virginia. “I had to jump. When I looked up, the ball was in the air, and I got under it and went down.
“Just coming back to Virginia and being 1-0 … it meant everything to us. We put so much work into this season and to go 1-0 … means the world to us.”
The Hokies had tied the game at 23 after scoring touchdowns and converting two-point conversions on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter. Bhayshul Tuten scored both of the Hokies’ touchdowns on runs of 14 and 2 yards.
Kyle Monangai and Samuel Brown V combined for 144 rushing yards and three touchdowns for Rutgers, which finished with 187 yards rushing.
Tuten rushed for 122 yards to lead the Hokies.
“We know the team we have,” Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry said. “We know the potential we have. But you can’t just be about potential. You’ve got to meet it, and we’re not doing that right now. We are a better team that what we showed today.”
TAKEAWAYS
Virginia Tech: The Hokies waited too late to get going in this one and it cost them. They turned the ball over three times and couldn’t get a stop in losing the time of possession battle badly (39:20-20:40). It all added up to yet another nonconference loss to a Power 4 opponent. Virginia Tech has lost 12 straight nonconference games to Power 4 opponents and Notre Dame.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The Scarlet Knights were reeling in the fourth quarter after giving up touchdowns on back-to-back possessions, but made the play of the game on the first play of the drive after Virginia Tech had tied the game at 23. Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis completed a 63-yard screen pass to Ian Strong that got Rutgers to the Virginia Tech 12 and led to the game-winning field goal.
“Great call by Kirk Ciarrocca (Rutgers offensive coordinator),” Schiano said. “That’s really what it was. Really a great call.”
SLOW START COSTS HOKIES — AGAIN
Virginia Tech has started slowly in each of its four games this season. The Hokies trailed Vanderbilt 16-0 in a season-opening loss, led Marshall just 10-6 at halftime in a win, led Old Dominion 14-10 at halftime in a victory, and trailed 14-0 to the Scarlet Knights. Now at 2-2, the Hokies have lost to a team picked to finish last in the SEC and one picked to finish ninth in the Big Ten.
“We have to look at it,” Pry said. “We’ve made some changes, from the way we start practices and, the mindset from play callers. We’ll have to look at it some more. … It’s something I have to look at as the head coach.”
UP NEXT
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights host Washington on Friday.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies play at No. 8 Miami on Friday.
How To Watch
How can I watch Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Virginia Tech Hokies?
- TV Channel: Scarlet Knights at Hokies 2021 College Football, week 4, is broadcasted on ACC Network.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Matchup Prediction
Scoring Summary
TD | 1st Period 7:41 | Kyle Monangai 1 Yd Run (Jai Patel Kick) | |
TD | 1st Period 0:58 | Samuel Brown V 3 Yd Run (Jai Patel Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 13:00 | Bhayshul Tuten 23 Yd Run (John Love Kick) | |
SF | 2nd Period 2:00 | Wesley Bailey Safety | |
TD | 3rd Period 10:44 | Samuel Brown V 5 Yd Run (Jai Patel Kick) | |
TD | 4th Period 14:06 | Bhayshul Tuten 14 Yd Run (Kyron Drones Pass to Benji Gosnell for Two-Point Conversion) | |
TD | 4th Period 4:35 | Bhayshul Tuten 2 Yd Run (Kyron Drones Pass to Stephen Gosnell for Two-Point Conversion) | |
FG | 4th Period 1:56 | Jai Patel 24 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
RUTG | VT | |
---|---|---|
25 | 1st Downs | 14 |
8-17 | 3rd down efficiency | 5-12 |
0-1 | 4th down efficiency | 0-2 |
422 | Total Yards | 320 |
269 | Passing | 137 |
16/25 | Comp/Att | 13/27 |
10.8 | Yards per pass | 5.1 |
153 | Rushing | 183 |
52 | Rushing Attempts | 27 |
2.9 | Yards per rush | 6.8 |
4-20 | Penalties | 4-34 |
1 | Turnovers | 3 |
1 | Fumbles lost | 2 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
39:23 | Possession | 20:37 |
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