Virginia Sports Quick Hits: Hokies hammer Tar Heels, Cavs gain ground and more

#25 Hokies Hammer #17 Tar Heels

Ranked for the first time since September of 2014, Virginia Tech rode their stingy defense to a 34-3 thumping of 17th ranked North Carolina in a rain soaked affair this past Saturday. The Hokies limited UNC to just 131 yards of total offense and forced the Tar Heels into four turnovers. With the win, Virginia Tech now has the outright lead in the Coastal Division of the ACC. On Monday afternoon, the latest edition of the AP Top 25 has the Hokies (4-1, 2-0 ACC) ranked 17th in the nation. Next up for Virginia Tech is a trip to Syracuse (2-4, 0-2 ACC) this Saturday.

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Cavs Gain Ground During Bye Week

The Virginia Cavaliers had the week off, but because of stumbles by Miami and UNC now find themselves alone in second place in the ACC Coastal Division. This Saturday the Cavs (2-3, 1-0 ACC) will host the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-2, 1-1 ACC) where they will have to try and slow down Pitt’s fierce rushing attack which is averaging over 240 yards per game.

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#6 Dukes Hold Off Tribe

Running Back Khalid Abdullah racked up 194 yards on 25 carries and punched in 3 touchdowns as sixth ranked James Madison defeated a struggling William & Mary squad 31-24 in Harrisonburg this past weekend. With the win JMU (5-1, 3-0 CAA) remains unbeaten in CAA play and in a three way tie atop the league with Villanova and New Hampshire. The latest FCS Coaches Poll has the Dukes holding steady at sixth nationally again this week. Next up for JMU is a trip to New Hampshire (4-2, 3-0 CAA) for a first place showdown with the Wildcats. Next up for William & Mary (2-4, 0-3 CAA) is a home date with Delaware (2-3, 0-2 CAA) where the Tribe will look to snap a three game losing streak.

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#7 Spiders Escape Albany in 3 OT Thriller

Richmond’s David Broadus found the endzone in the third overtime and the Spider defense shut down the Danes on their very next possession to preserve the win for UR. Richmond (5-1, 2-1 CAA) has now won three straight and remained seventh nationally in this week’s FCS Coaches Poll. This week the Spiders have a crucial home showdown with eleventh ranked and CAA co-leader Villanova (5-1, 3-0 CAA).