Motley, Ford lead Hokies past NC State

Frank Beamer vowed after last weekend’s loss to Pittsburgh that the Hokies would do a better job getting the ball into the hands of their playmakers, and they did just that. Most impressive was the pass protection as the Hokies scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions against a Bowl Subdivision opponent for the first time since a 2012 victory over Duke. The Tech record for TD catches in a game is four, by Ernest Wilford in Tech’s 50-42 triple overtime loss to Syracuse during the 2002 season.

Virginia Tech running back Travon McMillian put the game on ice with a 59-yard touchdown run at 6:54 in the fourth quarter. “He has speed and power”.

“I just think we got a little undisciplined in how we were playing”, linebacker Airius Moore said. “I think he’s a guy who can help change a game around”.

Motley, who has been filling in while injured starter Michael Brewer recovers from a broken left collarbone, got his fifth start when Brewer was cleared to practice, but not play in a game.

Motley took a beating, at one point coming out of the game for a play. Motley completed 14 of 28 for 158 yards, with the three touchdown passes to Ford and no interceptions.

After building a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter, the last 13 minutes of the first half couldn’t have gone much worse for the Wolfpack.

Brissett was 12 of 25 for just 113 yards.

“We had to really work hard today”, Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said.

“Some penalties hurt us”. The Hokies had 11 tackles for loss, tying their season high against East Carolina.

Virginia Tech also ended Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s streak of attempts without being intercepted at 241. I mean nine penalties is going to kill you. The Hokies avoided starting 0-2 in conference play for the first time since joining the league.

After a three-and-out by the Hokies to start the game, NC State took over on their 20 yard line and quickly moved to the Hokie 15 on six plays.

Finally, with the offense sputtering, Motley hobbled and the lead down to 21-13, Hansen’s block allowed Motley to boot right, plant and find Bucky Hodges crossing to the left for 26 yards, converting a fourth-quarter third-and-7.

Brissett did run for 39 yards but couldn’t get into any kind of rhythm in the passing game. “Obviously their response was good and ours wasn’t in the second quarter”.

N.C. State rolled 145 yards of offense in the first quarter, to only 29 for Virginia Tech. And they did it after rolling to a 10-0 lead against the Hokies.

Sure enough, Motley was hit and hurried on his first two passes, the second when end Mike Rose went unblocked off the edge by McLaughlin.

On the next snap, with Nijman redirecting blitzing cornerback Justin Burris, Motley had time to find Isaiah Ford for a 27-yard touchdown pass.