ATLANTA — Virginia Tech bounced back just fine from its shocking collapse against Boston College.
One week after the No. 11 Hokies squandered a 10-point lead to BC in the final minutes, Sean Glennon threw two long touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Virginia Tech to a 27-3 win over Georgia Tech on Thursday night.
Glennon made his second straight start in place of freshman Tyrod Taylor, who was sidelined by a sprained ankle. The replacement starter, who lost the job to Taylor after the second game, made the most of it by throwing for 296 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Justin Harper and a 71-yarder to Josh Morgan.
The Hokies (7-2, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) moved into a first-place tie with Virginia in the Coastal Division. The teams meet in the final game of the regular season.
Georgia Tech (5-4, 2-4) saw its slim hopes of making a second straight trip to the ACC championship game go down the drain.
Georgia Tech quarterback Taylor Bennett threw four interceptions.
Georgia Tech fans, those who remained, booed embattled coach Chan Gailey when he was shown on the video board making a public-service announcement during the fourth quarter.
Virginia Tech was primed for a letdown after squandering what appeared to be a sure victory against unbeaten Boston College.
The Hokies dominated on defense nearly the entire game, but Matt Ryan led an improbable comeback with two touchdowns in the final 2:11 for a 14-10 victory that ruined Virginia Tech’s of getting into the national championship race.
But coach Frank Beamer kept reminding his team that they were still positioned for a run at the ACC title, and the players clearly took that message to heart.
After Jud Dunleavy booted a 28-yard field goal that tied the game at 3, the Hokies seized the momentum by surprising the Yellow Jackets with an onside kick. Dunleavy barely kicked the ball, ran along behind it for 10 yards and fell on it himself.
Virginia Tech took advantage of the recovery by driving for the go-ahead touchdown, a 2-yard run by Glennon early in the second quarter. The Hokies made it 17-3 lead when Glennon went deep to Harper for another TD.
Even though Georgia Tech blocked a field goal attempt just before halftime, giving the Yellow Jackets somewhat of an emotional boost, Virginia Tech wasn’t going to let this one get away.
Glennon sent most of the fans scurrying for the exits when he tossed up a long pass to Morgan, who leaped over Jahi Word-Daniels at the 30 to make the catch, then coasted to the end zone to complete the 71-yard play.
Virginia Tech finally let up at the end, choosing not to run another play from the Georgia Tech 4 as the clock ran out.
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