Sometimes they don't ask how; they just ask if you won. That is the case for the Virginia Tech football team on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Playing in a Nor'easter that is going to batter the Northeast for days with wind and rain, the conditions were less than ideal for both teams.
Things were not looking good for the Hokies' fourth quarter, trailing 14-6, but two touchdown drives proved to be the difference in a 21-14 victory at Alumni Stadium. Here are three observations after Virginia Tech gets to 4-0 for the first time since 2017.
3 Virginia Tech football observations from the win at Boston College
1. Jeffrey Overton Jr. is that dude
The Hokeis struggled to run the ball at times in terrible conditions, but when they needed some big carries late in the game, they called on Jeffrey Overton, Jr. The talented sophomore had 25 carries for 209 yards and the game-winning 76-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He also added a key two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Marcellous Hawkins Jr. struggled running and had a lost fumble. He had just 19 yards on 10 carries. However, Overton Jr. showed flashes last season of what he could be and that was on display again on Saturday in the rain.
2. Brent Pry and running quarterbacks are not a good mixture
Stop me if you have heard this before. Brent Pry is getting chewed up by running quarterbacks. Whether he's a head coach or defensive coordinator in Blacksburg, it doesn't matter; the running quarterback is going to cause nightmares. That's what BC's Mason McKenzie did.
The transfer signal caller rushed the ball 26 times for 138 yards and scored both of the Eagles' touchdowns. He ripped off a 45-yard run to get the ball to the Virginia Tech 5-yard line before he punched it in. He was just 11-for-23 through the air for 111 yards, but Pry needs to figure out this running QB issue himself.
3. Virginia Tech made one more big play than Boston College
In the adverse weather conditions that both teams were facing, you knew it was going to come down to who made one more play than their opponent. That was the Hokies, thanks to Overton late game-winning touchdown run.
However, not to be overlooked was Marlion Jackson's fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Ethan Grunkemeyer on a fade to cut the deficit to 14-12. When needed, Pry's defense came up with some stops and the offense was able to run out the clock and seal the win late.
Now it's on to a showdown on Friday night at Lane Stadium against Pittsburgh in a battle between two 4-0 ACC foes. Buckle. Up.
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