ACC & Big 12 Week 10 Roundup: Irish rally past Virginia Tech to remain unbeaten in South Bend
No. 16 Notre Dame pulled off a 21-20 victory over Virginia Tech at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday after quarterback Ian Book ran for a 7-yard touchdown with 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
“That was a great character victory for our football team,” Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said. “They endured a lot this week. They found a way to win.”
Both offenses got off to a slow start and ended the first quarter tied 7-7. Book was intercepted by Virginia Tech linebacker Dax Hollifield on the second Irish drive of the game, but responded with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet on their next possession.
Virginia Tech quarterback Quincy Patterson, starting in place of an injured Hendon Hooker, completed nine of 28 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came with under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, an 8-yard pass to wide receiver Damon Hazelton.
The Fighting Irish started out strong in the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Book to tight end Tommy Tremble on their first drive, but those were the last points Notre Dame scored until the game-winning touchdown. Irish kicker Jonathan Doerer tried for a 35-yard field goal with seven minutes left in the fourth, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
The Hokies tied the score when defensive back Divine Deablo returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown at the end of the first half, and then kicker Brian Johnson gave Virginia Tech the lead with a 44-yarder in the first drive of the third quarter. Johnson scored again on a 25-yard field goal at the start of the fourth.
After Notre Dame’s missed field goal attempt, the defense forced the Hokies to punt with just over three minutes remaining. The Irish made it down the field in 18 plays and 87 yards, and capped off the drive with the game-winning touchdown. Book finished the night 29-for-53 for 336 yards.
The Hokies got the ball back with 29 seconds left in the game, but Patterson was intercepted by defensive back Kyle Hamilton.
“It’s a tough locker room in there,” said Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente. “It’s a group of guys that played hard, prepared well for a very good football team on the road in a hostile environment and almost pulled it off.”
Here’s a quick look at some of the other top games in the ACC and Big 12 this week:
Wake Forest 44, NC State 10: Demon Deacons quarterback Jamie Newman returned from an injury and completed 25 of 38 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns as Wake Forest defeated the Wolfpack.
Boston College 38, Syracuse 27: The Orange lost their fourth straight game against the Eagles as BC running back AJ Dillon ran for 242 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries, and David Bailey added another 172 yards and two touchdowns.
Miami 27, Florida State 10: Miami quarterback Jarren Williams threw for a season-best of 313 yards and two touchdowns as the Hurricanes defeated longtime rival Florida State for the third time in a row.
Pittsburgh 20, Georgia Tech 10: The Panthers overcame three first-half turnovers after quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 204 yards and a touchdown, while running back Vincent Davis added a 61-yard touchdown run as Pittsburgh defeated the Yellow Jackets.
Virginia 38, North Carolina 31: Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins registered 490 total yards of offense and accounted for five touchdowns on Saturday as the Cavaliers defeated the Tar Heels and took over first place in the ACC’s Coastal Division.
Baylor 17, West Virginia 14: The Bears won their 10th game in a row and maintained their perfect record with help from quarterback Charlie Brewer, who threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns.
Kansas State 38, Kansas 10: Wildcats quarterback Skylar Thompson ran for 127 yards and three touchdowns and registered 129 yards through the air as Kansas State dominated the Jayhawks in the Sunflower Showdown.
Oklahoma State 34, TCU 27: Oklahoma State running back and NCAA rushing leader Chuba Hubbard led the Cowboys past the Horned Frogs after putting up 223 rushing yards, including 92-yard and 62-yard touchdown runs.