Virginia Tech has taken complete control against Duke, pouring it on in the third quarter to take a 34-20 lead. The Hokies reeled off 34 unanswered points after an ugly first quarter against the Blue Devils.
Virginia Tech swung the momentum in the final minute of the first half, as Logan Thomas hit Marcus Davis for a 42-yard touchdown. The Hokies were getting the kick to start the second, and the offense needed to keep the pressure on and go for their first lead of the game. Well, it didn't take long to carry over that momentum, as freshman running back J.C. Coleman broke off a 45-yarder to give the Hokies a 24-20 lead just over a minute into the half.
Bud Forster's defense has also stepped up after yielding points on Duke's first three possessions. The Hokies forced two straight three-and-outs to not give the Devils any life in the third.
And Thomas and the offense would keep it humming, adding another quick touchdown on their second possession of the half. It was Davis again with the big play, as the massive wideout hauled in a 47-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone. Thomas simply lofted it over the defense and the ball split two defenders, hitting Davis right in the stomach for his second touchdown of the day. Davis has five catches for 144 yards through the first three quarters.
Tech added another Cody Journell field goal on its third possession, making it a two-touchdown lead. With the defense swarming, that could be more than enough over the final 15 minutes.