Journell kicks Hokies past Yellow Jackets

Blacksburg, VA – Cody Journell made a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation, then hit the game-winner in overtime, as the No. 16 Virginia Tech Hokies opened the season with a 20-17 Labor Day victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Journell missed a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter but delivered a 41-yarder through the uprights as time expired. In overtime, a costly interception by Tevin Washington led to the junior kicker's 17-yard game- winner.

Logan Thomas completed 21-of-38 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in the first-ever overtime game at Lane Stadium.

The junior signal caller threw a five-yard, first-quarter touchdown pass to Eric Martin and hit freshman Demitri Knowles for a 42-yard score midway through the fourth.

Marcus Davis finished with 82 yards on six catches for the Hokies (1-0, 1-0 ACC), who went 11-3 last season and captured the Coastal Division crown before falling to the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship Game and Michigan in the Sugar Bowl.

Knowles' first collegiate catch put Virginia Tech up 14-10 with 7:46 remaining but Washington, who led the Yellow Jackets to an 8-5 record and a second-place finish in the Coastal Division in 2011, responded with a 72-yard touchdown drive.

Primarily a running quarterback, the senior highlighted the march with a pair of clutch completions. On 4th-and-6, he bought time before finding B.J. Bostic surrounded by defenders near the sideline for a 19-yard connection. Four plays later, he found Deon Hill on a crossing route for a 10-yard score and a 17-14 advantage with 44 seconds to go.

But Thomas, who amassed a school-record 3,482 yards last season, completed all four passes during a quick 51-yard march and Journell atoned for his earlier miss with the tying field goal.

Washington couldn't repeat his aerial success in overtime. Facing a 3rd-and-6 from the 10-yard-line, he unfurled an errant pass while being brought to the ground.

Kyle Fuller intercepted the throw near the goal line and Michael Holmes ripped off runs of six and 18 yards on the Hokies' possession to set up Journell's short game-winner.

Earlier, Robert Godhigh had a 12-yard rushing touchdown for the Yellow Jackets (0-1, 0-1), as a sluggish start from both teams led to a 7-7 game at the half.

David Scully made a 34-yard field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter to put Georgia Tech on top, 10-7.

Game Notes

These two teams have combined to win every Coastal Division crown since 2005 ... Virginia Tech holds a 7-3 edge in the all-time series ... The Hokies played in four overtime games prior to Monday with all of those contests coming on the road ... Washington finished with 96 yards on 10-of-15 passing and added 63 yards on 19 carries.