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ACC: Virginia Tech blows it open in third quarter

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Three minutes, 29 seconds.

That's how long it took Virginia Tech to score 17 third-quarter points Saturday, including a defensive score, on its way to a 41-14 victory against Marshall.

Starting with a field goal with 11:51 remaining, the burst included Vince Hall's 15-yard fumble return for a touchdown and a 48-yard pass from Marcus Vick to David Clowney, giving the No. 3 Hokies a 31-7 lead with 8:22 left in the quarter.

"It was real quick," Clowney said.

The Hokies led 14-7 at the break, having played sluggishly, and coach Frank Beamer said he hardly needed to say a word in the locker room at halftime.

"They knew what needed to be done," Beamer said. "I think they did a great job of going back out there and quickly taking the game back over."

The key was Hall's touchdown, which came two plays after Brandon Pace's 19-yard field goal. Chris Ellis sacked Bernie Morris, and the ball popped free.

"It was a pick!" Hall joked, trying to enhance his contribution to the play. "It fell straight into my hands. I made sure I was going to hold on to it and score."

After stopping Marshall on four plays, the Hokies needed just three to drive 78 yards: George Bell ran for 5, Vick hit Josh Morgan for 25 and Clowney for the score.

The Hokies outgained Marshall 200-1 in the third quarter.

BOSTON - Quinton Porter threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns, and linebacker Brian Toal scored on a pair of 1-yard dives for the Eagles.

Porter, who had missed two games with a sprained right ankle, went 4-of-9 for 20 yards in the first quarter, but finished 25-for-37.

Toal, who plays fullback on short-yardage situations, has five touchdown runs this season.

The Eagles won despite missing three field goals, being penalized 11 times for 111 yards and losing defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who was ejected in the third quarter for punching a Virginia lineman. Kiwanuka and Cavaliers tackle Bill Butler were pushing and shoving all day, and earlier Butler blocked Kiwanuka in the back of the knees after the whistle, sending Kiwanuka out with an injured right ankle.

Virginia's first two scoring drives were aided by 15-yard penalties.

MARYLAND 38, TEMPLE 7: Mario Merrills ran for three touchdowns, leading the visiting Terrapins past the winless Owls. Sam Hollenbach passed for 228 yards and ran for a score as Maryland overcame a sluggish start.