October 2, 2006

BLACKSBURG - Stephan Virgil scored two defensive touchdowns as the Virginia Tech football program's jayvee squad defeated Fork Union, 27-14, Monday afternoon at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field in its first game of the season.

Tech got on the board first with 42 seconds left in the first quarter when quarterback Matt Finnegan scored from 1-yard out on a keeper to cap a long drive. Jud Dunlevy missed the PAT, making it 6-0.

The Hokies widened their lead early in the second period when Finnegan hit receiver Brandon Dillard on quick screen and then Dillard out-ran everyone for a 63-yard touchdown score. Dunlevy's kick made it 13-0. The Blue Devils cut into the lead right before the half, capitalizing on an interception and long return by Dreco Neal. That led to a 15-yard touchdown pass from Trace Stanley to Brendan McLaughlin on a fade route to the corner of the end zone with 41 seconds left. Richard Absher's kick made it 13-7 heading into the half.

The Blue Devils (1-4) came out of the locker room and marched 80 yards, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Dwayne Priest and Absher's PAT to take a 14-13 lead. Fork Union appeared to have all the momentum in its favor until Virgil stepped in front of a Stanley pass to the sideline and returned it 46 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

Virgil sealed the game when he plucked a fumble out of mid-air and returned it 23 yards for a score to make it 27-13. On the play, the pass was completed to Anthony Castonzo, but Matt Reidy forced the ball loose and Virgil grabbed it and returned it for the score.

For Tech, Kenny Lewis, Jr., and Jahre Cheeseman saw most of the rushing action. Lewis carried the ball nine times for 30 yards while Cheeseman carried the ball 10 times for 43 yards before leaving with an injury. Dwayne Priest led the FUMA charge, rushing 14 times for 85 yards and a score. Tech punter Brent Bowden punted three times for an average of 47.7 yards with a long of 57 yards.

Four Tech players - Mark Muncey, Chad Grimm, Jake Patten and Cam Martin - all had five tackles apiece. Patten also had an interception while Grimm had a forced fumble. For Fork Union, Andrew Fodera led the way with seven tackles. Craig Johnson also had an interception.

Tech (1-0) will play its final jayvee game on Friday, hosting Hargrave at Lane Stadium starting at noon.

Scoring
             1    2    3    4        F
FUMA (1-4)   0    7    7    0        14
VT (1-0)     6    7    7    7        27
VT   (0:42 re 1st)   - Finnegan 1 run (Dunlevy kick failed)
VT   (9:07 re 2nd)   - Dillard 63 pass from Finnegan (Dunlevy kick)
FU   (0:41 re 2nd)   - McLaughlin 15 pass from Stanley (Absher kick)
FU   (6:05 re 3rd)   - Priest 1 run (Absher kick)
VT   (0:16 re 3rd)   - Virgil 46 interception return (Dunlevy kick)
VT   (3:31 re 4th)   - Virgil 23 fumble return (Dunlevy kick)

Individual Stats Rushing - FU, Priest 14-85, #49 3-15, Allen 2-8, Long 2-1, Macintosh 1-4, Nelson 1-3; VT, Cheeseman 10-43, K. Lewis 9-30, Gorham 1-1, Finnegan 1-1.
Passing - FU, Stanley 11-28-2-103, Green 0-1-0-0; VT, Finnegan 4-11-2-105.
Receiving - FU, McLaughlin 5-47, Green 3-15, Castonzo 2-35, Bangali 1-6; VT, Dillard 2-73, Born 1-35, K. Lewis 1-(-3).