College football

ACC: Resilient Hokies squash fears of late collapse

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Its hopes for a shot at the national championship dashed in a humbling loss to Miami two weeks ago, No. 7 Virginia Tech made sure Saturday that its November fades of recent seasons would not be repeated.

Doing it against Virginia, and by a 52-14 score, made it that much sweeter.

"We got our swag back," Hokies cornerback Jimmy Williams said. "Everybody was watching. It was more of a statement game to show that we're not the Tech of old. ... There won't be any more of those November losses and teams tanking around here."

Cedric Humes ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns, Branden Ore ran for 115 and two TDs and Marcus Vick bounced back from a six-turnover nightmare against the Hurricanes with two touchdown passes and the steady play the Hokies count on.

The defense did its part, too, getting two interceptions by Aaron Rouse that turned into 14 points and a big special-teams play that yielded another easy touchdown.

Trailing 10-0, the Cavaliers forced the Hokies to punt. Michael Johnson muffed it at his 6, the ball bouncing off his shoulder pads, and Roland Minor recovered for Virginia Tech. Humes took it in on the next play from the 1.

"That's a big turning point in the ballgame," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said.

Some of the Hokies coaches worried if the team was far enough past its 27-7 loss to Miami to get back to playing well.

"To be able to come out there and make a statement about our team after our loss to Miami is tremendous," senior defensive tackle Jonathan Lewis said, adding that he'd assured the coaches the team was prepared. "It shows a lot about our character."

Virginia Tech piled up 503 yards and allowed 254 to a team that had been playing well behind quarterback Marques Hagans.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Jolonn Dunbar scored on a 94-yard fumble return and Ray Henderson took an interception 35 yards for a touchdown, leading the Eagles.

Andre Callender had 121 yards rushing and a score for Boston College, which never trailed in its regular-season finale. Both teams had four turnovers.

Playing in its first year in the conference, the Eagles finished tied with Florida State atop the Atlantic Division. But the Seminoles will advance to the title game by virtue of their 28-17 win over the Eagles in September.

Lance Ball ran for 135 yards and a touchdown for Maryland, which needs to win at North Carolina State next weekend to become bowl eligible. The Terrapins went 1-4 at home.

UNC 24, DUKE 21: Ronnie McGill capped his best game of the season with a 3-yard touchdown in the final two minutes, helping the host Tar Heels rally to keep the Blue Devils winless against Division I-A teams. North Carolina retained the Victory Bell for the 15th time in 16 seasons and needs to win at Virginia Tech next weekend to become bowl eligible for the second straight season. McGill finished with 146 yards rushing.

N.C. STATE 24, MIDDLE TENN. 3: Andre Brown ran for 94 yards and a touchdown to help the host Wolfpack keep its bowl hopes alive. Stephen Tulloch returned an interception 50 yards for a score, and DaJuan Morgan blocked a punt to set up Brown's TD run in the second quarter.

[Last modified November 20, 2005, 00:55:14]