I remember it like it was yesterday. Syracuse was limping in with a dismal 4-6 record. The 8th ranked Hokies traveled north expecting to escort the Orange to the woodshed. Approximately 3 1/2 hours later the Hokies made the long trip home with a shocking loss. Troy Nunes put up an amazing 403 yards through the air and the Hokies eventually fell in three overtimes. In spite of three interceptions, Nunes made the plays when it counted. The Orange somehow managed to stuff Lee Suggs for only 65 yards on 19 attempts.
The trouble started for the Hokies a couple of weeks prior by barely beating a 3-5 Temple team 20-10. Keep in mind the Hokies were ranked #3 in the nation with a perfect 8-0 record. Then came Pittsburgh. Brandon Miree ran for 161 for the Panthers, and Pitt shocked the Hokies at Lane, winning 28-21. The Hokies were hungover, and opportunistic Nunes made a bunch of plays. It was eerily similar to the performance of Diego Pavia in week one this season.
No words.
— Wake Up SEC (@wakeupsec) October 26, 2024
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia is on the cusp of entering the Heisman Trophy race, turning a turnover into a TD with a beautiful effort.
How can you not root for this guy? The ultimate underdog! #AnchorDownpic.twitter.com/nsnvEhWPWp
Believe it or not, this was’t the worst loss at the former “Carrier Dome”. The most heartbreaking loss off all time in that Haunted House was engineered by one Donovan McNabb. This one still hurts. The game was the year before Tech played for the national championship. Tech was 7-2 and Syracuse was 6-3. Donovan McNabb won the game with a last second throw to the end zone. That killed me. The clock showed 0:00 and the Hokies were short. In case you have never seen the play, here it is:
To add insult to injury, this has looked like a bunch of broken plays this season (think Miami). Can the Hokies reduce this haunted house into another step to the A.C.C. Title? I say boo.