Virginia Tech’s Travon McMillian breaks off 59-yard TD, hurdles people

With both Beamer’s Virginia Tech team and N.C. State dropping their ACC openers, neither could afford another missed step.

“Some wins are bigger than others”, Beamer said, “and this one was big, and critical”.

Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lane Stadium.

The loss drops N.C. State (4-2) to 0-2 in the ACC for the third straight year under coach Dave Doeren.

McMillian’s touchdown was the first of his career.

Michael Brewer did not play for the Hokies at all, even when starting quarterback Brenden Motley left the game briefly in the third quarter. This after averaging 46.2 points per game against the likes of Troy, South Alabama and Old Dominion to start the season.

The win moved Tech to 3-3 overall, 1-1 in ACC play. “We have to get more points on the board and we can’t give up the big plays that are hurting us”.

Kyle Bambard booted a 33-yard field goal with 9:52 left in the quarter to put N.C. State up 3-0.

N.C. State rolled 145 yards of offense in the first quarter, to only 29 for Virginia Tech. The duo connected for all three of their scoring strikes in the second quarter, sending the Hokies to the locker room with a 21-10 advantage. He threw for 158 yards, the three touchdowns and did not throw an interception. Three plays later, on third-and-6, Motley hit Ford from 27 yards, a touchdown making it just 10-7. Doeren clearly wasn’t satisfied with the way the game was officiated. “We had to adjust throughout the game, because they showed a few things we hadn’t seen”. The Hokies, one of the most penalized teams in the nation, committed seven penalties for 48 yards, but NC State was flagged nine times for 81 yards.

A pass interference call on defensive back Dravious Wright on third and goal from the 11 in the end zone set up Ford’s third touchdown.

Motley hit McMillian for 19 yards and Cam Phillips for 14 yards on consecutive plays early in the second quarter.

Devon Johnson had 82 yards rushing and a score and Deandre Reaves 76 yards receiving and a touchdown for Marshall (5-1, 2-0 Conference USA). Sophomore linebacker Airius Moore said the Wolfpack was too undisciplined on defense and not aggressive enough. “We talked all week about getting turnovers and we didn’t get one”.

“We had to really work hard today”, Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. But with two chances to potentially tie the game, N.C. State’s offense was stopped near midfield and forced to punt. “Obviously their response was good and ours wasn’t in the second quarter”.

Hokies freshman running back Travon McMillian rushed for a game-high 96 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Virginia Tech also ended Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s streak of attempts without being intercepted at 241.

“He’s a tough dude”, Doeren said.