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Hokies' Heart Shines Through

The Associated Press

Virginia Tech celebrates their 30-12 victory against the Eagles in the ACC Championship Game at Raymond James.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: December 7, 2008

Updated: 12/07/2008 12:17 am

TAMPA - Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer called it a complete team victory. "Everybody contributed," he said.

It was the legs of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who slithered for a pair of touchdowns. It was the quick hands of cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris, who stripped away a fumble and prevented a likely touchdown. It was the leg of place-kicker Dustin Keys, who booted a career-long 50-yard field goal.

But mostly, it was Virginia Tech's heart.

As usual.

The Hokies weren't supposed to be here, not after all their personnel losses, injuries and string of defeats at midseason. But there they were Saturday, relishing their 30-12 victory against the Boston College Eagles in the ACC Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium.

ACC announced a ticket distribution of 53,927 - thousands were given away to local charities, when the participating schools sold only a small total - but actual attendance appeared to be about half of that figure.

The intimate setting didn't detract from Virginia Tech's postgame celebration. Improbable, you say? When will the so-called experts ever learn?

The Hokies (9-4), part of the ACC's expansion in 2004, won their third league title in five seasons and are headed back to the Orange Bowl, probably against Big East champion Cincinnati, on New Year's Day.

BC (9-4), which entered with a four-game winning streak and was aiming for the program's first BCS bowl appearance, now figures on a trip to the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.

"I think the ACC has brought out the best in Virginia Tech," Beamer said. "I know the ACC has been great for us, and I hope we have been good for the ACC.

"I think it's very, very important that we not only represent the ACC in this Orange Bowl, but we really make a good preparation to go and win this Orange Bowl. I felt last year we let the ACC down losing to Kansas 24-21. We didn't play like we should have played. So we want to do a little better this time."

If the Hokies follow Saturday's formula, they could finish with a double-digit victory total.

Taylor, the game's Most Valuable Player, rushed for touchdowns of 5 and 4 yards, staking Virginia Tech to a 14-0 lead. When BC's offense began clicking, it was Harris who stripped the ball away from Eagles receiver Rich Gunnell at the Virginia Tech 2-yard line following a 37-yard completion.

The ball rolled into the end zone, where Harris (who else?) recovered for a touchback.

Overall, it was a difficult afternoon for BC quarterback Dominique Davis, the redshirt freshman from Lakeland, who was 17 of 43 for 263 yards. He threw two interceptions and lost a fourth-quarter fumble, which was returned for a 17-yard touchdown by Virginia Tech defensive end Orion Martin.

As Martin crossed the end-zone line, somebody threw an orange from the stands. It whizzed by Martin's feet. He didn't even notice.

"Orion was running too fast to see the orange," Beamer said, laughing. "He was blazing."

Sort of like Virginia Tech's entire team.

Once again, even when it was unexpected, the Hokies gathered enough momentum to be called the ACC's best.

"Some people kind of gave up on us," Beamer said. "We kind of got our eyes straight ahead, don't pay too much attention to a lot of external things and we come up with a championship. This one is special."

And in many ways, it's also typical of Virginia Tech.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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