Hokies rally for OT win

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cody Journell kicked a 22-yard field goal on the first possession of overtime to help Virginia Tech beat Rutgers 13-10 in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Friday night.

Virginia Tech (7-6) won its third straight game to avoid its first losing season since 1992.

Rutgers (9-4) had a chance to tie it in overtime, but Nick Borgese missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt to the right.

Virginia Tech trailed 10-0 at the half, then rallied in the final 30 minutes thanks to some timely turnovers and offense.

Quarterback Logan Thomas struggled in the first and finished with a pair of interceptions, but also had 192 passing yards and the game’s only offensive touchdown.

Virginia Tech cornerback Antone Exum, selected the most valuable player of the game, picked off Gary Nova’s pass early in the fourth quarter to set up the tying score.

Rutgers’ touchdown came on the opening drive of the game, when linebacker Khaseem Greene recovered a botched snap by the Hokies for a touchdown.

The game was the lowest scoring in the bowl’s history. It surpassed Stanford’s 24-3 win over Penn State in 1993.

The game also set a bowl record with 20 punts, passing the previous record of 19 in the 1991 matchup between Alabama and Colorado.