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Virginia Tech Beats Notre Dame, 34-31

Brian Kelly argues with an official during Saturday's game.
Brian Kelly argues with an official during Saturday's game. (Billl Panzica)

FIRST QUARTER: Notre Dame 10, Virginia Tech 0

Top moment: Notre Dame junior quarterback DeShone Kizer found sophomore receiver C.J. Sanders for a 22-yard gain on third-and-10, setting up the first one-yard touchdown run on the following play.

Stats: Notre Dame outgained Virginia Tech 173-4 in the opening quarter. Kizer was 6-of-7 for 103 yards, while the Irish tallied 70 yards on the ground. Notre Dame dominated in time of possession, holding the ball for all but 2 minutes, 31 seconds.

Items: Notre Dame had its 18th scoring drive of 75 or more yards this season on the opening possession of the game, covering 78 yards on seven plays in 3 minutes, 9 seconds before Josh Adams scored on a rush from one yard out. Fifth-year senior defensive lineman Jarron Jones recorded his second fumble recovery of the season and his career on the play. Sophomore kicker Justin Yoon had a 25-yard field goal on Notre Dame’s second drive.

SECOND QUARTER: Notre Dame 24, Virginia Tech 14

Top moment: Kizer hit sophomore receiver Miles Boykin for an 18-yard touchdown with 6 minutes left in the half, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 24-7.

Stats: Notre Dame outgained Virginia Tech 299-135 in the first half, including a 199-61 advantage through the air. The Irish had 100 rushing yards, led by Kizer’s 40 yards. Virginia Tech junior QB Jerod Evans was 7-of-10 for 61 yards in the first half, while Kizer was 13-of-18 passing with two touchdowns.

Items: Sophomore receiver Chris Finke caught a 31-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter. Evans ran for a 23-yard TD on Tech’s first drive of the second quarter. He also threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Cam Phillips, which cut the ND lead to 24-14 with 1:18 left.

THIRD QUARTER: Notre Dame 31, Virginia Tech 21

Top moment: Phillips dropped a long pass from Evans, and the ball deflected into the hands of Notre Dame safety Drue Tranquill. The Irish responded with a touchdown.

Stats: Virginia Tech had 170 yards of offense in the third quarter. Through three quarters, Notre Dame had been penalized nine times for 63 yards.

Items: Tranquill’s interception was the second of his career. The Irish have scored first in all but one game this season. The only exception was the 10-3 loss at NC State.

FOURTH QUARTER: Virginia Tech 34, Notre Dame 31

Top moment: Virginia Tech’s Joey Slye hit a 20-yard field goal with 4:16 left to give the Hokies the lead.

Stats: Notre Dame lost despite outgaining Virginia Tech 449-419. Kizer finished 16 for 33 passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Evans went 22 for 29 for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Adams finished with 100 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. Evans was Tech’s top rusher, carrying 18 times for 67 yards.

Items: Notre Dame blew a 17-0 lead and a 24-7 lead against the Hokies. Virginia Tech scored the final 13 points to win the game.

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