Hokie ClubBERKELEY, CALIF. – The Virginia Tech football team mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter and took the lead but were unable to score on the game’s final possession as they fell to the homestanding Cal Bears 25-20 Saturday afternoon. For Tech, it is the second consecutive loss which drops their record to 4-2 (1-2). Cal improved to 3-3 (2-1) with the result.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Hokies got on the scoreboard first as Ayden Greene hauled in a 30-yard pass from Ethan Grunkemeyer. It was Greene’s second 30-yard reception on the drive as the Hokies moved the ball down the field.
That would be the first of four combined scores in the quarter and Cal found the end zone on a five-yard rush from Ashten Emory to tie the game up.
On the ensuing drive, Tech marched down 75 yards in seven plays, with running back Marcellous Hawkins, Jr. finding the end zone with a three-yard rush.
The halftime score was Hokies 14 and Bears 10 as the home team hit a field goal as time expired.
Towns McGough’s 22-yard field goal was the only score in the third quarter as both team’s offenses stalled in the middle of the field.
That left the Hokies with a 14-13 lead with the ball in the fourth quarter but were only able to punt the ball back to Cal.
The Bears and quarterback Jackson Brousseau orchestrated a 14-play drive 79 yards in 7:07 to take a 19-14 lead. A two-point conversion was unsuccessful.
Tech put together a much-needed nine-play drive to answer and take a lead as Grunkemeyer carried the ball over the end line with just over a minute to go to restore Tech’s advantage.
Cal scored with just 18 seconds left thanks to Emory again leaving little time for Tech to move the football. But a squib kick and lackluster coverage allowed the Hokies to drive the ball down to the Cal seven yard line and on the final play attempted to find Luke Reynolds in the end zone, but the pass was broken up.
Grunkemeyer finished the game 21-of-31 for 288 yards and a score.
Keon Wylie led the defense with nine tackles, a career high, which included one tackle for loss, and he recorded a pass break up.
Game Notes:
•Kemari Copeland registered the Hokies’ lone sack in the ballgame.
•Ayden Greene’s 30-score, was his second straight game with a receiving touchdown.
•The score was Hawkins Jr.’s first rushing touchdown since the ODU game in Week Two.
•Grunkemeyer’s rushing score was his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.
Up Next:
The Hokies will return home to Lane Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Georgia Tech on Oct. 17. Fans still seeking tickets to the sold-out Homecoming matchup can visit SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics, for available tickets.