Coming off a bye, the Virginia Tech football team was looking to pick up an ACC win at home over California on Friday night at Lane Stadium. With a difficult November schedule facing the Hokies, this was one of the few remaining games on the schedule that was winnable.
Trailing 20-10 at halftime, Virginia Tech took a 27-20 lead midway through the fourth quarter, only to have Cal tie the game and then both teams miss potential game-winning field goals. After two overtimes, the Hokies emerged with a 42-34 win to improve to 3-5 and 2-2 in the conference.
This was a win that Virginia Tech fans will not forget for a long time in a year that feels like a lost one, considering how everything has gone since the season-opener against South Carolina. Virginia Tech will turn its attentions to Louisville next week, but before that, here are five observations from Tech's eight-point win.
Horrendous officiating
Let's get this one out of the way right away. Normally, blaming officials is something you never want to do, but it was bad, and honestly, it was bad both ways. Cal got hit with a roughing the passer call in the third quarter that was questionable at best. A lot worse has been let go before. Then, in the fourth quarter, the Hokeis were hit for it in what seemed like a normal sack.
Ben Bell sacked Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele on what looked like a normal tackle, only to draw a flag. It was a big call because instead of fourth-and-goal from the 12, the Golden Bears had a first-and-goal inside the 5. Different strategy and different play-calling. On top of that, two targeting calls on Virginia Tech were overturned after video review. A rough, rough night for an ACC officiating crew. Are you surprised?