Virginia Tech football got on the board first Saturday in Durham and the defense came up with some stops while in the red zone, but Duke would pull away at Wallace Wade Stadium. For more on which individuals stood out for the Hokies and some noteworthy statistics.
Stats with Salas
The Long Bomb
Just two minutes into the game, quarterback Grant Wells delivered a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Da'Wain Lofton to get the Hokies on the board and have some momentum early. The long pass marked the 15th time Wells has had a throw for longer than 25 yards this season. The 53-yarder marked his second-longest throw of the season (85 yards at NC State on Oct. 27).
Quick One
As mentioned above, the Hokies scored quickly to start the game off of Wells' touchdown throw to Lofton. The score took place at the 13:26 mark in the first quarter, marking the earliest scoring play since Dec. 1, 2018 versus Marshall in which kicker Brian Johnson drilled a 32-yard field goal.
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No Dirty Laundry
Tech was able to put together a clean sheet in regards to committing penalties, marking the first time it has done so since at least 1987 (Beamer era-present). With none in the first half, it marked the first time since Dec. 5, 2020 versus then-No. 4 Clemson and also the first-ever time doing it in a true road game during the regular season. The zero penalties through three quarters marked the first time since that's happened Sept. 23, 2017 against Old Dominion. The four penalties by both teams combined (all Duke penalties) ties the fewest by both teams since at least 1987.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Score (VT-Opp) | Tech Penalties | Opponent Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 12, 2022 | Duke | Durham, N.C. | L, 7-24 | 0 | 4 |
| Oct. 22, 2011 | Boston College | Blacksburg, Va. | W, 30-14 | 3 | 1 |
| Dec. 4, 2010 | Florida State | Charlotte, N.C. | W, 44-33 | 4 | 0 |
| Nov. 13, 2008 | Miami | Miami Gardens, Fla. | L, 14-16 | 3 | 1 |
| Oct. 26, 2006 | Clemson | Blacksburg, Va. | W, 24-7 | 3 | 1 |
| Nov. 8, 2003 | Pitt | Pittsburgh, Pa. | L, 28-31 | 3 | 1 |
| Nov. 29, 1997 | Virginia | Charlottesville, Va. | L, 20-34 | 2 | 2 |
Remember Your First
Defensive back Mansoor Delane came up with a clutch interception when the Blue Devils were in the red zone, juggling it at first then coming down with his first career pick. The freshman also recorded seven tackles (3 solo). Speaking of freshmen, Tucker Holloway, who wore the No. 25 jersey for the first time of his career, hauled in his first career catch and then some, finishing with three catches for 18 yards.
Triangle Trifecta
Saturday's game completed the Triangle Trifecta for the Hokies. Three of Tech's four ACC road games in 2022 took place in "The Triangle" aka Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Not only was this the first time the Hokies played road games at Duke, at North Carolina and at NC State in a single season, it was the first time any ACC school faced the Triangle schools on the road in the same season since expansion in 2004. The last team to complete the Triangle Trifecta … East Carolina in 1981. The Pirates lost all three games - at North Carolina 56-0 on Sept. 3, at NC State 31-10 on Sept. 19 and at Duke 24-14 on Oct 3.
Speedy Contest
The two-hour, 48-minute game time marked the quickest game since Sept. 11, 2010 when Tech-JMU finished a game in 2:37. It was the second game of the season to finish in under three hours. The last time the Hokies had two sub-three hour games in a season was in 2017 (Delaware: 2:52, Virginia: 2:58). Tech is now 69-42-3 in games under three hours since 1985.