The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JUST when the Virginia Tech Hokies began to gain national recognition as the 14th ranked team in both the ESPN and USA Today/ Coaches poll, they suffered an untimely upset to unranked Duke this weekend.

Bahamian Demitri Knowles was again the leading receiver for the Hokies with four receptions for 69 yards but Virginia Tech managed to reach the endzone just once in the 13-10 loss at home in Lane Stadium on Saturday.

It was their lowest point total since the week one loss to top ranked Alabama.

Quarterback Logan Thomas was intercepted four times by the Blue Devils’ defence and ended a six-game win streak for the Hokies. He had his longest pass play of the year, a 56-yard reception, which helped Virginia Tech along their only drive of the game which resulted in a touchdown.

It was his fourth consecutive game with at least 57 yards receiving and fifth of the season.

Knowles now has 33 catches for 415 yards, both team leads and two touchdowns.

Tech fell to 6-2 and suffered their first loss in the ACC.

Duke improved to 6-2 and claimed their first win over a ranked opponent since 1994.

Virginia Tech had numerous scoring chances, but Thomas’ pass was broken up on a fourth-and-11 from the Blue Devils’ 31 on the Hokies’ first series, he threw an interception in the end zone from the one-yard line in the second quarter and kicker Cody Journell’s 45-yard field goal hit the left upright late in the half.

The Hokies’ second ranked defence allowed just a single score, but the loss overshadowed the stout defensive effort, particularly with two weeks to prepare following a bye.

Next up on the Hokies’ schedule is a November 2 match-up against the Boston College Eagles at 12pm.

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ABC.