No. 14 Tech strong in all three phases in rout of UNC

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson threw three touchdown passes and the Hokies’ defense added two scores to carry the No. 14 Hokies to a 59-7 victory over North Carolina in an ACC game played Saturday at Lane Stadium.

With the win, Tech moved to 6-1 overall, 2-1 in the ACC and beat the Tar Heels for the 11th time in 14 games since joining the ACC. North Carolina (1-7, 0-5 ACC) lost its fifth straight game.

Tech looked rested and focused coming off a bye week and played that way, scoring in all three phases of the game in the first half and bolting out to a 35-0 halftime lead. Tech scored twice on defense, getting the first score of the game on a 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown from defensive tackle Ricky Walker in what served as a foreshadowing of things to come for the Tar Heels.

The Hokies added a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown by Greg Stroman – his second punt return for a score this season – and a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown from defensive back Reggie Floyd.

Jackson threw scoring tosses of 4, 8 and 8 yards, and he finished with 132 yards passing on an afternoon in which he only played a little more than two quarters. The Hokies finished with 383 yards of offense.

North Carolina only ventured into Virginia Tech territory three times, turned the ball over three times, and finished with 172 yards.

GAME NOTES

• Cam Phillips became Tech’s all-time leader in receptions after catching five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown against the Tar Heels. The five catches give him 212 in his career, enabling him to pass Isaiah Ford (210) into first place on the list.

• Jackson’s three touchdown passes give him 16 on the season. He ranks second in the ACC in touchdown passes behind Louisville’s Lamar Jackson (17).

• Tech’s 59 points were its most ever in an ACC game. The Hokies scored in a Thursday night win over Maryland in 2004.

• Tech’s 59 points were the most it has scored in a conference game since putting up 62 in a 1999 win over Temple.

• Tech last scored in all three phases of the game in a 2015 win at Purdue. The Hokies last scored two touchdowns on defense in the same game in 2008 loss at Boston College.

UP NEXT

The Hokies continue their season next Saturday at home, where they will face Duke. The kickoff is slated for 7:20 p.m. Tech has lost its past two games against the Blue Devils at Lane Stadium.