Richmond Times-Dispatch from Richmond, Virginia • C6

College Football Richmond Times-Dispatch ACC No. 16 Virginia Tech 38, N.C State 10 HoMes rise and take a bow C6 Sunday, November 22, 2009 Heels stop Eagles Three scores in 2:19 span key win; Miami whips Duke Past and future blend as Hokies whipWolfpack BY DARRYL SLATER Times-Dispatch Staff Writer BLACKSBURG Virginia Tech and its fans celebrated the past yesterday at a full Lane Stadium, cheering the contributions of the Hokies' seniors before and during a 38-10 win over North Carolina State. One by one, they jogged out of the tunnel in the north end zone, listened to the applause and gave performances worthy of it: the undersized linebacker, a former walk-on, who became one of their best players; the free safety who struggled earlier this fall but is finishing well; the cornerback who battled a knee injury all season. Tech's offense, meanwhile, offered reasons to anticipate the future: the sophomore wide receiver who catches almost every ball thrown his way, the redshirt freshman tailback who keeps one-upping himself, the junior quarterback who orchestrates it alL The No. 16 Hokies (5-2 ACC, 8-3) still have two games to play Saturday at Virginia and their to-be-determined bowL But there was a degree of finality yesterday, as their past and future combined for their third consecutive win, following two straight losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina that could have derailed their season.

That was the mindset, not to go in the tank after we lost two games," said junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor. He did his part against the overmatched Wolfpack (1-6, 4-7), depleted by season-ending injuries to three defensive starters. Taylor completed 9 of 17 passes for 197 yards, including throws of 26, 35, 38 and 42 yards to sophomore receiver Jarrett Boykin. Whether he was adjusting his route and snagging the ball as he fell (the 42-yarder) or making a diving catch in the end zone to finish a because he was on my jersey," Williams said. "His grip was just Hke real tight.

I thought he was just gonna let go, but he held on the whole time. I wanted him off of me." Appropriately, the game began, shortly after the senior-day ceremony, with a stunning run of defensive plays by senior whip linebacker Cody Grimm, a 5-11, 205-pound overachiever whose journey from walk-on to leading tackier surprised even him. Grimm forced three fumbles in the game's first four plays. Tech recovered the first two inside N.C State's 35 and converted them into a field goal and touchdown. The first one, on the game's first play, served defensive coordinator Bud Foster's mission of keeping N.C State quarterback Russell Wilson, a skilled scrambler from Collegiate, in the pocket by rushing from the edges of the Hne.

Wilson dropped back about 2 yards for a quick pass, rather than a regular 6-yard drop. "He was right in my path," Grimm said. And off the Hokies went, with another stingy defensive effort. They have now allowed one touchdown in the past three games. In the fourth quarter, senior free safety Kam Chancellor intercepted Wilson, distancing himself from his rocky start this season.

Senior cornerback Stephan Virgil, who hurt his left knee in the first game but is near 100 percent, scooped up Grimm's second forced fumble. Virgil caused one himself that Tech recovered in the third quarter. On Friday, the day before everyone cheered what has now passed, Virgil glimpsed his own future, when his second child was born a boy named Zyon Raheim i wanted to make it the best game to remember of my college career here," he said. "That was good motivation for me to come out and play my best game." Contact Darry Slater at (804) 649-6026 or dslatertjmGstfspatctLQom. DON PETERSENTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams (32 carries, 120 yards) leaves N.C State defender Daniel ImhofT In his wake during one of his four touchdown runs.

school record in 2002, with 279 yards, just one receiver has gained more yards in a game than Boykin did yesterday Justin Harper, with 167 in 2007. The day's most impressive play, though, came from redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams. His 19-yard touchdown run put Tech up 31-10 in the third quarter, and he earned those points. Safety From Wire Reports BOSTON Cam Thomas and Kendric Burney each had defensive touchdowns yesterday as North Carolina scored three times in a span of 2:19 in a 31-13 win over Boston College. North Carolina (4-3, 8-3) forced six turnovers to win its fourth consecutive game.

Deunta Williams had three interceptions, returning one 39 yards to the BC Hne with 4:42 left in the game. Ryan Houston ran it in from there for his second TD of the game to make it 28-13. Boston College (4-3, 7-4) had an outside shot at winning the ACC division title, but that disappeared with a flurry of first-quarter turnovers by quarterback Dave Shinskie that helped spot the Tar Heels to a 21-0 lead. Montel Harris ran for 132 yards for BC, becoming the 16th back in school history to reach 2,000 yards. No.

21 Miami 34, Duke 16 MIAMI Jacory Harris threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, Darryl Sharp-ton had a 73-yard interception return for a score and Miami staved off Duke. Damien Berry's 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter opened the floodgates for Miami (5-3, 8-3). Leonard Hankerson had career bests of eight catches and 143 yards including a 44-yard score for the Hurricanes, who scored the final 24 points. Thaddeus Lewis finished 20 of 37 for 303 yards for Duke (34, taking over the school's all-time lead in passing yardage with 9,678. Donovan Varner caught eight passes for 165 yards and a TD for the Blue Devils.

Duke took a 16-10 lead on Will Snyderwine's 26-yard field goal early in the third quarter. After that, it was all Miami Harris completed 25 of 43 passes with an ailing right hand protected by a brace and now has 3,003 yards this season, making him the seventh Miami quarterback with a season and the first since Ken Dorsey in 2002. FSU 29, Maryland 26 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Freshman Lonnie Pryor ran for a pair of touchdowns, including a 3-yard run with 32 seconds left, and Florida State beat Maryland to become bowl eligible. Pryor's winning score was set up by a 48-yard punt return by freshman Greg Reid that gave the Seminoles the ball at the Maryland 44 with 1:35 left.

Pryor also scored on a 50-yard run in the second quarter to give Florida State a 14-3 lead. The Seminoles (4-4, 6-5) handed Maryland (1-6, 2-9) its sixth straight loss. ACC standings SUMMAKT Mr if Grading the three keys AGartabi BmmI Hmnl North Carolina State's sophomore quarterback didnt have terrible numbers, hie completed 15 of 26 passes for 234 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He tossed a 48-yarder to wide receiver Owen Spencer and a 20-yard touchdown to Spencer. Wilson, a Collegiate graduate, has 27 touchdown passes this season.

But Tech sacked him five times and kept him from scrambling for long gains. His longest run: 5 yards. He had 62 runs this season, not counting sacks, including 19 for at least 10 yards. A Play vttli pafpoat, For the second consecutive week, the Hokies dominated an overmatched conference opponent Last week, they hammered Maryland 36-9, dropping the Terrapins to 2-8, 1-5 in conference play. Yesterdas 28-point victory made N.C.

State 4-7, 1-6. The Hokies might be out of the ACC championship game in which Clemson will play Georgia Tech but they are still playing well. CflfcuihnaHI min: Redshirt freshman tail- lhuja nyai triiiiaiiiD i ail carry, and sophomore Earl Wolff grabbed the back of his jersey near the 10-yard Hne. Williams kept running and dragged Wolff to the end zone, Wolff sliding along the sideline Eke a fallen water skier hanging on for dear life. As Williams chugged toward his fourth touchdown of the day and 15th of the season, he thought, "Why is this boy still on my jersey?" "He was making me mad, uiiidb iui j.ojaiuBDi Josh Oglesby ran five times for plays last season a formation that became known as the wild turkey.

Those plays accounted for 85 yards. But this season, the Hokies ran the wild turkey just once, with Ryan Williams against Nebraska. On senior day yesterday, Boone, a senior, returned to the wild turkey on the second half second play. After the crowd shouted "Booooone!" he handed off to receiver Dynl Robert! for a 6-yard end-around. Two plays later, Boone kept the ball for 4 yards.

On the first play of the next drive, from N.C State's 31, he threw his first career pass. But safety Broad OB Btafeop deflected it away from receiver JOfTBtt Boytti the end zone. On the next drive, Boone ran his fourth and final wild turkey play a 5-yard run. Offensive coordinator Bryaa Stawsprtai who also coaches the tight ends, told Boone before the game that he was going to use him in the wild turkey. "I had been looking forward to it all season," Boone said.

LV INUBS corner Read Darryl Slater's Tech Hog at TimesDispatch.com. Uywort sports blog 97-yard drive (the 38-yarder), Boykin proved again, with six catches for 164 yards, that he is Tech's best receiver. Since Ernest Wilford set the single-game NOTES Williams sets rushing records On his ninth carry in Virginia Tech's win over N.C. State, Hokies tailback RyBB Wafcati became the most productive freshman rusher in ACC and Tech history. With a 10-yard gain, Williams, a redshirt freshman, eclipsed both records, set last season by Tech redshirt freshman Darna Evaas, who ran for 1,265 yards.

Evans suffered a season-ending knee injury in August. Wilfiams, who finished with 32 carries for 120 yards, cracked 100 yards for the eighth time in 11 games this season. He also ran for four touchdowns, tying Tech's freshman record for most touchdowns in a game, set by running back Toaaay Edwards in 1993 against Pittsburgh. Williams now has 15 rushing TDs this season. His 1355 yards this season rank third on Tech's single-season behind CyrnLaw-naoe's 1,403 in 1981 and Kft-vtaJoaat' 1,647 in 2003.

Grimm ties NCAA forced-ftimbies mark Tech's defense started quickly yesterday, as senior whip linebacker Cody Man forced three fumbles on the first four plays. Grimm's three forced fumbles in a game tied an NCAA record, shared by seven other players. The most recent, before Grimm: Rutg-ers' Baas! MmUm against Navy in 2006. On the game's first play, Grimm hit N.C. State quarterback Raitfll WlBUB, a Collegiate graduate, from behind.

Grimm recovered the ball, giving Tech possession at the Wofipack's 34. The Hokies got a field goal on their ensuing drive. On the second play of N.C State's next drive, Grimm stripped the ball 5.6 a carry and true freshman David Wilson got eight carries for 2.5 a carry. That total 3.7 per carry wasn't as impressive as the past two games, against East Carolina and Maryland, in which Williams ran for 6.9 and 5.5 a carry. QUICK KICKS 16 Virginia Tech 38, N.C.

State 10 lor tartan: Tech jumped out to a 10-0 lead thanks to whip linebacker Cody Grimm forcing a fumble on each of N.C. State's first two drives. After the first, Tech took over at State's 34 and converted the short field into a field goal. After the second, Tech took over at the 25 and scored a touchdown. TanfcjJ park Hokies redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams made one of his most memorable plays of the season on Tech's first drive of the second half.

On second and 6 from State's 19, Williams ran left and kept running, even after safety Earl Wolff grabbed hisjersey. Williams dragged Wolff about 10 yards and scored his fourth touchdown of the day, giving Tech a 31-10 lead. linebacker Cody Grimm forced three fumbles, tying an NCAA record. Star of the guw Grimm The guy continues to impress. He had eight tackles, two sacks, forced three fumbles (tying an NCAA record) and recovered one of the fumbles.

BtJiatotarcTech is on track to win 10 games for the sixth consecutive season, provided it beats Virginia next week and wins Its bowl game. Bo flgssrt: 26 Wliams' carries in the first half. That's more than he had in al but two games this season, hie had 34 against Miami in a downpour and 26 two games ago at East Carolina. Nut: The Hokies finish the regular season Saturday at Virginia. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m.

and air on ESPN. Tech has defeated Its in-state rival five consecutive meetings and eight of the past nine. Last season, the Hokies won 17-14 in Btacksburg. 3 t-ll I 14 14 I (tartar VT-FG Waldron 26, 11:50. Drive 7 plays, 25 yank, MS.

Key play: Whip linebacker Cosy Grimm sacking N.C State quarterback Russell Wilson on the Barnes first play. Wilson fumbled, Grimm pounced on the ball, and Tech took over at States 34. VT-R. Williams 4 run rwaJdron kick), 7:55. Drive: 6 plays, 28 yank, 06.

Key play: Another short field thanks to a forced fumble by Grimm his second In the same's first three plays. After Wilson threw an 1-yard pass to wide receiver Darrell Davis, Grimm stripped the ball. Cornerback Stephan Virgil recovered, giving Tech the ball at States 25. NCSt-Spencer 20 pass from R. Wilson (Czajkowski kick), 220.

Drive: 10 plays, (1 yards, 28. Key play: Wilsons 33-yard pass to receiver Jay Smith on third-and-14 from States 45. Ashe threw, Wilson got hit hard by who else? Grimm. VT-R. Williams 1 run (Waldron kick), 1442.

Drive: plays, 49 yards, 231. Key play: Tyrod Taylor's 17-yard pass to receiver Jarrett Boykin on second-and-15 from State's 19. Taylor completed the pass as he was being dragged down. NCSt-FG Cajkowski 45, 531. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 1:52.

Key play: Wilson's 41-yard pass to receiver Owen Spencer, who beat cornerback Rashad Carmichael, on second-and-S from State's 36. VT-R. Williams 1 run (Waldron kick), 37. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 447. Key play: Taylors 42-yard pass to Boykin on third-and-ll from Techs IS.

Boykin beat freshman comer Jarvis Byrd and adjusted to the ball, catching it as he fell backward. TkMOaartar VT-R. Williams 11 run (Waldron kick), 1225. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 221. Key play: Taylors 26-yard pass to Boykin on the drive's first play, tfrst-and-io at Teens 38.

VT-Boykin 31 pass from T.Taylor (Wal dron kick). 142. Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 02. Key play: Taylors 35-yard pass to Boy- Kin on Diiro-aiKM aiiecns s. A-66233.

NCSt VT First downs 12 24 Return yards 0 11 PuntS-Avg. 3-47J) Rushes-yards 26-14 56-200 Passingyards 245 117 Comp3ft-lnt 16-21-1 9-11-0 Fumbles-tost 4-3 1-1 Penalties-yards 542 2-20 Time of possession 2334 3626 NCSU (H-14), Baker 10-47, Eugene 7-14, Davis 1-4, Glennon Kminus I), R. Wilson 7- (minus 43). Mraaala Tack (H-2M), R. Williams 32-120, Oglesby 5-28, D.

Wilson 8-20, T.Taylor 7-18, Boone 2-9, Roberts 1-6, Teaml-(minusl). NCSU (lt-2t-l-245), R.Wilson 15-26-1-234, Glennon 1-3-0-11. Vtrakda Tack O-IM-MT), T.Taylor 1-17-0-197, Boone 0-1-04. NCSU, Spencer 3-74, Davis 3-39, Bryan 2-29, Ja. Williams 2-25, Eugene 2-22, JAnHh 1-33, Bowens 1-11, Baker 1-6, T.Gentry 1-6.

VlrsMa Tack, Boykin 6-164, Coale 2-22, DavkML NCSU Cole 12, Lucas 11, Sweezy 6, Bishop 6, Michel 5, Floyd 5, Byrd 4, Manning 4, Young 4, Burgess 4, Cash 3, Maddox 3, McKeen 3, Byers 2, Wilson 2, Johnson 2, Gentry 2, Wolff 2, August' Mageo, Davis, Wlinichik, Riley, Morgan, Lemon. Vlrgaala Tack Rivers 9, Grimm 8, Carmichael 6, Morgan 6, Brown 5, Gibson 5, Drager 3, We-rikk 3, Virgil 2, Martin 2, Luckett 2, Chancellor 2, Taylor 2, Muncey, Hill, Porch, Graves, Reldy, Hopkins, Whitley, Thompson. NCSU Sweezy. Young. Mageo.

Tack Grimm 2, Carmichael, Drager, Wo nka, Muncey. VlrafedaTack Chancellor. FUMUE RECOVERIES NCSU August! n. Vtrakaai Tack Grimm, Morgan, Chancellor. nr ATLANTIC Ctemson 6 2 8 3 Boston Co.

4 3 7 4 Florida Sate 4 4 6 5 Wake Forest 2 5 4 7 NjC State 16 4 7 Maryland 16 2 9 COITAL Al Ga.Tech 7 1 10 1 Va.Tech 5 2 8 3 Muni 5 3 8 3 N. Carolina 4 3 8 3 Duke 3 4 5 6 Virginia 2 5 3 8 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Coach Frank Beamer celebrates with Nekos Brown (47) and Kam Chancellor after Tech's senior-day victory. from wide receiver I Dawk. Corner I recovered. Tech took over at State's 25 field position the Hokies turned into a TD.

Grimm also jarred the ball loose from running back To-aay Bafcar on the first play of the next drive, but receiver Owaa Spaaoar jumped on it Wild turkey returns Hokies tight end I a quarterback in high school, lined up there for 20 YESTUMYt 6AMB Virginia Tech 38, NX. Stite 10 Ctemson 34, Virginia 21 Miami 34, Duke 16 Florida State 29, Maryland 26 North Carolina 31. Boston College 13 NEXT lATUBMYV GAMES Ctemson at South drofna, noon North Carolina at MX. State, noon Wake Forest at Duke, noon Virginia Tech at Virginia. 330 pjn.

Boston College at Maryland, 330 Florida State at Florida. 330 Miami at South Florida, 330 Georgia at Georgia Tech, 8 DECS ACC rfcllllllllllllMH 1 Ctemson vs. Georgia tech, 8 pun..