Virginia Tech knocks off Boston College 26-10
BOSTON (AP) - Virginia tech coach Frank Beamer knew he'd be able to rest a lot better this week.
Michael Brewer threw a first-quarter touchdown pass and linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka returned a fumble 34 yards for a score early in the second, carrying Virginia Tech to a 26-10 win over Boston College Saturday.
Coming off a heartbreaking, four-overtime loss a week ago at home against Duke, the Hokies jumped to a 20-0 halftime lead and coasted to just their second win in six games.
"I think I'll sleep a lot better tonight," Beamer said.
Joey Slye kicked four field goals for the Hokies (4-5, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Travon McMillian carried 33 times for 105 yards.
Beamer felt like his team had a great week getting ready for Boston College's tough defense, ranked second overall in the country, but he wasn't sure how things would turn out after the Duke loss.
"After a gut-wrenching day last week, and the way these guys came back," Beamer said. "You always think they're going to bounce back, but until they do it you never know."
Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler knew the pressure Beamer's been under with the team struggling.
"The scrutiny he's been through makes me sick, to be honest," Loeffler said.
Boston College (3-6, 0-6) lost its fifth straight.
Brewer, making his second straight start since sustaining a broken left collarbone in the opener against top-ranked Ohio State, hit a wide-open Cam Phillips down the right sideline for 27 yards to make it 7-0.
He completed 15 of 21 passes for 180 yards.
"It was big to kind of open up the game like that," Brewer said.
The Hokies increased it to 10-0 on their next possession when Slye kicked a 47-yard field goal. It was Virginia Tech's third trip into BC territory in as many possessions.
Motuapuaka stripped running back Jordan Gowins and ran it back, making it 17-0.
Slye kicked a 38-yarder as time expired in the half after the drive was kept alive by a roughing the punter penalty.
BC coach Steve Addazio inserted freshman walk-on quarterback John Fadule after a pair of three-and-outs on the first two possessions of the game. Fadule ran for 53 yards and completed 8 of 20 passes for 143 yards and one interception.
"I thought John Fadule came in and did a really good job," Addazio said. "For a guy that's been on the scout team two weeks ago to now, having to run an offense - other than off of cards - he had toughness, he had confidence, he ran people over, he threw the ball, he ran the ball. That was nice to see."
Starting quarterback Troy Flutie was yanked after the sluggish start. Fadule becomes the fourth QB Boston College has used this season. Darius Wade, who opened the season, was lost with a broken ankle in the third week and his replacement, Jeff Smith, was in uniform but didn't play after sustaining a concussion last week.
Fadule didn't worry too much when he got his chance.
"I didn't overthink things," he said. "When my number got called I just wanted to play as hard as I could."
BC gained only 80 yards in the first half. It did, however, move into Virginia Tech territory midway into the second quarter before Mike Knoll missed badly on a 43-yard field goal attempt.
Slye's third field goal - a 32-yarder - made it 23-0 after Greg Stroman's 31-yard punt return gave the Hokies the ball at BC's 22. His fourth - from 32 yards - made it 26-10.
Knoll's 29-yard field got BC on the board with 3:26 left in the third.
Richard Wilson had a 3-yard touchdown run for BC midway into the final quarter.
The Eagles host North Carolina State in their home finale next Saturday. Virginia Tech is off until a Thursday night matchup at Georgia Tech on Nov. 12.