Late field goal carries No. 25 Liberty past Tech
Late field goal carries No. 25 Liberty past TechLate field goal carries No. 25 Liberty past Tech
Football

Late field goal carries No. 25 Liberty past Tech

Opens in a new window Postgame notes vs. Liberty

BLACKSBURG – Alex Barbir's 51-yard field goal with 1 second remaining overshadowed a great game by Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker and propelled No. 25 Liberty to a 38-35 upset of the Hokies in a nonconference game Saturday at Lane Stadium.
 
With the loss, Tech fell to 4-3 overall. Liberty moved to 7-0 and extended its winning streak to eight consecutive games going back to last season.
 
Barbir's kick punctuated a wild ending for the Flames, who rallied from a 20-14 halftime deficit and moved to 7-0 for the first time in program history.
 
Barbir had a 59-yard attempt blocked with 8 seconds left, and Tech's Jermaine Waller returned it to the end zone for what appeared to be the game-winning score for the Hokies. But officials ruled that Virginia Tech had called a timeout before the attempt.
 
"I've always done this," Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. "I don't believe in waiting till the last second to call a timeout in those situations because I don't like ever letting the kicker a free swing at it. I hollered timeout, and I guess I waited too long. That's what I told the team – it's on me."
 
Liberty then elected to go for it on fourth-and-6 from the Virginia Tech 41. Malik Willis found CJ Yarbrough for an 8-yard gain at the Virginia Tech 33 with 5 seconds left, allowing Barbir to come out for a shorter 51-yard attempt, which he drilled.  
 
Hooker paced Virginia Tech, throwing for 217 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown. His 12-yard touchdown pass to Tré Turner with 52 seconds remaining tied the game at 35, setting up the wild ending. He also threw touchdown passes of 3 yards to Nick Gallo and 9 yards to Kaleb Smith.
 
Tech finished with 418 yards of offense.
 
GAME NOTES
• Hooker's second-quarter touchdown run marked his eighth rushing touchdown of the season and the 14th of his career.
 
• Hooker's three touchdown passes give him eight for the season and 20 for his career.
 
• Hooker's 100-yard rushing performance represented his second of the season. He rushed for a career-best 164 yards in the Hokies' 40-14 win over Boston College on Oct. 17.
 
• Gallo's second-quarter touchdown reception marked the first touchdown reception of his career.
 
• Smith's fourth-quarter touchdown reception marked the second touchdown reception of his career.
 
• Johnson has made 14 field goals through seven games. He needs 10 field goals in the Hokies' final four games to break the single-season record.
 
• Amaré Barno played maybe the best game of his career, finishing with eight tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack. He also broke up two passes and forced a fumble.
 
• Jaylen Griffin had two tackles for a loss, a sack, and he recovered two fumbles.
 
UP NEXT
The Hokies return to action Saturday when they take on Miami at Lane Stadium. The kickoff time should be announced Sunday.Gallery: (11-7-2020) 2020 FOOTBALL vs. LIBERTY