Hokie ClubSYRACUSE, N.Y – Virginia Tech quarterback Jerod Evans threw for a career-best 307 yards, but it wasn’t enough as the No. 17 Hokies fell 31-17 to Syracuse in an ACC game played Saturday at the Carrier Dome.
With the loss, the Hokies fell to 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the ACC. Tech is now 2-7 at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse moved to 3-4 overall, 1-2 in the ACC.
“First of all, congratulations to Coach [Dino] Babers and his kids,” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. “They played really, really well today. They beat us in all three phases of the game. That falls on me, and we obviously didn’t play as well as we should have. That’s obviously my responsibility.”
The Hokies trailed for much of the game, but tied it early in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Evans to receiver Bucky Hodges. The touchdown cut the lead to 17-15, but the Hokies went for two points and converted when Evans found Chris Cunningham for the two, tying the game at 17 with 13:53 remaining.
But Syracuse scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to seal the win. Quarterback Eric Dungey’s 1-yard run with 7:56 remaining gave the Orangemen a 24-17 lead, and less than three minutes later, Deontae Strickland’s 16-yard touchdown run pushed the lead to 31-17.
The game featured more than 1,000 yards of total offense. Unfortunately for the Hokies, Syracuse racked up 561 yards, with Dungey throwing for 311 yards and running for 106. He also threw for a touchdown and ran for one.
Evans completed 20 of 33, with two touchdown passes and one interception, as the Hokies finished with 468 total yards.
BIG PLAYS
• Virginia Tech appeared to cut the game to 14-10 following a 17-yard touchdown run by Jerod Evans on fourth-and-1 from the Syracuse 17. The officials, though, called a holding penalty on the play, negating the touchdown, and Slye missed a 45-yard field goal wide right.
• Tech’s impressive drive to start the second half was highlighted by a 21-yard pass from Evans to receiver Cam Phillips that gave the Hokies a first down at the Syracuse 12. On the next play, Evans found Ford for the score.
• Evans threw a ball short of Hodges on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Hodges adjusted on it and came up with it for a 27-yard gain to the Syracuse 25. That ultimately led to Evans’ 10-yard touchdown pass to Hodges.
• On the drive after the Hokies tied the game, Syracuse marched into Tech territory and faced a fourth-and-2 from the Tech 37. The Orangemen went for it, and Dungey found Ervin Phillips for a 5-yard gain that gave them the first down. Syracuse went on to score what would be the winning touchdown moments later on Dungey’s 1-yard run with 7:56 left.
GAME NOTES
• Evans also tied his career high for completions and set a career high for attempts in this game.
• Ford, who caught eight passes for 83 yards, recorded his 22nd career touchdown reception when he hauled in the 12-yard score from Evans. With that reception, he tied former Tech receiver Antonio Freeman for the school record in career touchdown receptions.
• Hodges’ touchdown reception marked the 16th of his career. He is now tied for sixth on the all-time list with former receiver Josh Morgan (2004-07).
• Right tackle Jonathan McLaughlin started his 41st career game – the most on the squad.
• Defensive end Ken Ekanem started his 32nd consecutive game – the longest such streak on the squad.
UP NEXT
The Hokies now get ready for a quick turnaround, taking on Miami on Thursday night at Lane Stadium. Tech has lost two straight to the Hurricanes and three of the past four meetings. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.