Hokies Struggle vs #15 Louisville, Defeated 34-3 (11-4-23)

By: Joey Raymond

Headline Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics

While it’s still early, this could prove to be the biggest game of the year for both the Hokies and the Cardinals. Both of these two teams sit atop the ACC, tied for second place. The only team ahead of them is the Florida State Seminoles. The Seminoles are almost a sure thing to get there, but the bigger question is who will be joining them. If the season ended this week, it would be whoever wins this game. Whichever team wins this game will have sole possession of 2nd place in the ACC and will have a much better chance of going to the ACC championship game. We’ll see if the 15th-ranked Louisville Cardinals can defend their home and continue to control their destiny, or if the Hokies can upset the status quo, and pull off an upset.

First Quarter Recap:

Louisville kicks us off to start the game, as they deferred to the second half after winning the coin toss. That means that Kyron Drones and Company have a chance on offense first. The Hokies get a very rude awakening, as the Cardinals get a big sack to open the drive. The rest of the drive would go about the same, forcing the Hokies to punt on a 4th and 21. Plummer and the Cardinals get a chance for their first drive on offense. They immediately start driving down the field. Louisville heads down to the 25-yard line before having to face a fourth down. They’d convert it, and continue into the endzone a few plays later, giving us our first score of the game. Louisville leads it 0-7. On the Hokies’ next drive, they would go down to about midfield before getting stopped once again by this stout Cardinals defense. The Hokies offense is looking lackadaisical early, arguably the one thing Virginia Tech can’t afford. Louisville starts their next drive on the 12-yard line. They’ll move down to the opposite 34-yard line before time runs out in the first quarter.

Second Quarter Recap:

​The Cardinals start the quarter knocking on the door of the red zone. They wouldn’t even need to get in the red zone though, as they hand it to Isaac Guerendo who takes it into the endzone for a Cardinals score. Louisville leads 0-14. The Hokies are digging themselves a rough hole to dig out of. Furthering the hole that Virginia Tech has dug themselves, The Hokies get knocked back to 3rd and 29 on their next drive. They’ll run it on third, go nowhere, and be forced to punt it away yet again. Louisville’s offense would try to take full advantage of getting the ball back again, getting down to the 23-yard line, and attempting a field goal, which they missed. The score stayed right where it is at 0-14. The Hokies would then try to make something happen on offense. They would finally get going, making it into the red zone for the first time in this game. Unfortunately for the Hokies, they can’t convert it into a touchdown, opting to settle for a field goal. That brings the score to 3-14, as the clock hits all zeros and we head to halftime.

Third Quarter Recap:

​Virginia Tech kicks it off to the Cardinals to start the half. The Hokies’ defense comes out strong early in the half, stopping Louisville quickly and forcing a three-and-out. The Hokies offense will try to keep up the momentum from the end of the last half. The Hokies would also go nowhere on their drive, punting it right back to the Cardinals. Louisville would start slow but then really start grooving. They go 5 plays, 63 yards, and into the end zone for a Cardinal touchdown. This gives the Cardinals a 3-21 lead. On the next drive, Kyron Drones would throw a ball that gets tipped and intercepted, giving Louisville the ball right back after the touchdown. The Cardinals would take full advantage, scoring on 3 plays, stretching their lead to 3-27. Louisville would get the extra point blocked. Both the Hokies and the Cardinals would come up empty on their next drives. The Hokies would have the ball as the clock hits all zeros, ending the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter Recap:

​The Hokies wouldn’t be able to make any moves offensively and are forced to punt it away yet again, a minute into the fourth quarter. The Hokies’ defense would force the Cardinals to also punt on their next drive. The Hokies would get another shot on offense and drive it to about midfield before having to go for it on fourth down. They can’t convert it, and turn it over on downs. The Cardinals are in complete control at this point. The Cardinals flex some muscle shortly after getting the ball back, scoring again, and bringing the lead to 3-34. The Hokies would again go three and out and punt it away, as the offensive struggles continued for the Hokies. Both teams at this point in the game would bring in their respective backups and attempt to run the clock out. Louisville would be forced to punt it on their last drive, giving the ball back to the Hokies with 11 seconds left. The Hokies essentially take a knee, the clock hits all zeros. Louisville would win it, 3-34.

Post Game Thoughts:

​Put, the Hokies got smoked in this game. A team that was making good strides, ran into a buzzsaw that was the Cardinals’ defense. The Cardinals ultimately looked good in all phases but especially defensively as they gave this Hokies team all they could handle. They dominated on the ground, rarely having to throw the ball because they were doing so well running the football. Louisville now owns second place and is in the driver’s seat to head to the ACC championship game. Next week, Louisville will host Virginia at home, hoping to extend this awesome winning streak. As for the Hokies, they’ll head to Boston College to face the Eagles, in what could be a tough challenge for the Hokies.