The 2017 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hokies were led by second-year head coach Justin Fuente and played their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech competed as members of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in ACC play to finish in second place in the Coastal Division. They were invited to the Camping World Bowl where they lost to Oklahoma State.
Quick Facts Virginia Tech Hokies football, Camping World Bowl, L 21–30 vs. Oklahoma State ...
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More information Conf, Overall ...
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More information Name, Title ...
Name |
Title |
Joined Staff |
Justin Fuente |
Head Coach |
2016 |
Bud Foster |
Associate head coach, Defensive coordinator & Linbeackers |
1987 |
Galen Scott |
Assistant Head Coach & Safeties |
2016 |
Zohn Burden |
Running Backs |
2015 |
Brad Cornelsen |
Offensive coordinator, Quarterbacks |
2016 |
Brian Mitchell |
Cornerbacks |
2016 |
James Shibest |
Special Teams Coordinator, Tight Ends |
2016 |
Vance Vice |
Offensive Line |
2016 |
Holmon Wiggins |
Wide Receivers |
2016 |
Charley Wiles |
Defensive Line |
1996 |
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More information Date, Time ...
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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| 7:30 p.m. | vs. No. 22 West Virginia* | No. 21 | | ABC | W 31–24 | 67,489 |
September 9 | 3:30 p.m. | Delaware* | No. 18 | | ACCN Extra | W 27–0 | 62,526 |
September 16 | 3:30 p.m. | at East Carolina* | No. 16 | | CBSSN | W 64–17 | 43,776 |
September 23 | 2:00 p.m. | Old Dominion* | No. 13 | - Lane Stadium
- Blacksburg, VA
| ACCN Extra | W 38–0 | 65,632 |
September 30 | 8:00 p.m. | No. 2 Clemson | No. 12 | | ABC | L 17–31 | 65,632 |
October 7 | 7:15 p.m. | at Boston College | No. 16 | | ESPN2 | W 23–10 | 32,057 |
October 21 | 3:30 p.m. | North Carolina | No. 14 | - Lane Stadium
- Blacksburg, VA
| ESPN2 | W 59–7 | 65,632 |
October 28 | 7:20 p.m. | Duke | No. 13 | - Lane Stadium
- Blacksburg, VA
| ACCN | W 24–3 | 60,914 |
November 4 | 8:00 p.m. | at No. 10 Miami (FL) | No. 13 | | ABC | L 10–28 | 63,932 |
November 11 | 12:20 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | No. 17 | | ACCN | L 22–28 | 47,909 |
November 18 | 12:20 p.m. | Pittsburgh | | - Lane Stadium
- Blacksburg, VA
| ACCN | W 20–14 | 58,948 |
| 8:00 p.m. | at Virginia | No. 25 | | ESPN | W 10–0 | 48,609 |
December 28 | 5:15 p.m. | vs. No. 19 Oklahoma State* | No. 22 | | ESPN | L 21–30 | 39,610 |
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Schedule source[1]
vs West Virginia
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
Virginia Tech vs West Virginia
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 21 Virginia Tech |
3 |
7 | 14 | 7 |
31 |
No. 22 West Virginia |
0 |
7 | 10 | 7 |
24 |
- Date: September 4
- Location:
FedEx Field Washington, D.C. - Game start: 7:40pm
- Elapsed time: 3:46
- Game attendance: 67,489
- Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), Wind: 5 MPH N, Clear
- Referee: Jerry McGinn
- TV announcers (ABC): Steve Levy (Play-by-Play), Brian Griese (Analyst)
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Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | 6:10 | VT | Joey Slye 25-yard field goal | 3–0 VT |
| Q2 | 5:37 | WV | David Sills 11-yard pass from Will Grier (Mike Molina kick) | 7–3 WV |
| Q2 | 0:27 | VT | Josh Jackson 5-yard run (Joey Slye kick) | 10–7 VT |
| Q3 | 11:25 | WV | Mike Molina 34-yard field goal | 10–10 |
| Q3 | 9:51 | VT | Deshawn McClease 12-yard run (Joey Slye kick) | 17–10 VT |
| Q3 | 2:18 | WV | David Sills 10-yard pass from Will Grier (Mike Molina kick) | 17–17 |
| Q3 | 2:02 | VT | Cam Phillips 32-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 24–17 VT |
| Q4 | 12:37 | WV | Gary Jennings Jr. 60-yard pass from Will Grier (Mike Molina kick) | 24–24 |
| Q4 | 6:30 | VT | Travon McMillian 3-yard run (Joey Slye kick) | 31–24 VT |
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In the first game of the season at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, Hokies quarterback Josh Jackson ran for a touchdown and threw another as the Hokies held off No. 22-ranked West Virginia 31–24. In the 52nd meeting between the two schools, a back-and-forth matchup was decided in the fourth quarter when Jackson rushed for a 46-yard gain to set up Travon McMillion's three-yard touchdown run with 6:30 left in the game. The Hokie defense, which gave up 592 total yards to the Mountaineers, came up big at the end, keeping West Virginia out of the endzone after two attempts from the 15-yard line as time expired. The win moved the Hokies to 1–0 on the season.[2]
Delaware
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
Delaware at Virginia Tech
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Delaware |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• No. 18 Virginia Tech |
7 |
10 | 0 | 10 |
27 |
- Date: September 9
- Location:
Lane Stadium Blacksburg, Virginia - Game start: 3:35 pm
- Elapsed time: 2:52
- Game attendance: 62,526
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), Wind: 3 MPH NE, Mostly cloudy
- Referee: Duane Heydt
- Television network: ACCN Extra
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Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | 2:45 | VT | Greg Stroman 61-yard punt return (Joey Slye kick) | 7–0 VT |
| Q2 | 7:48 | VT | Joey Slye 50-yard field goal | 10–0 VT |
| Q2 | 2:01 | VT | Travon McMillian 4-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 17–0 VT |
| Q4 | 11:50 | VT | Cam Phillips 28-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 24–0 VT |
| Q4 | 8:59 | VT | Joey Slye 24-yard field goal | 27–0 VT |
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The Hokies announced they would wear new "white Hokie stone" helmets for their first home game of the year against FCS Delaware.[3][4] After allowing nearly 600 yards to West Virginia, Virginia Tech's defense rebounded nicely to record Bud Foster's 32nd shutout as the Hokies' defensive coordinator. The Blue Hens only got into Virginia Tech territory three times. Another Hokie hallmark, special teams, played an important role as Greg Stroman returned a punt for a touchdown late in the first quarter to give the Hokies a 7–0 lead. Quarterback Josh Jackson threw two scoring passes in the game as the Hokies were held to only 303 yards of total offense. However, it was enough as the Hokies moved to 2–0 on the season with a 27–0 win.[5]
At East Carolina
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
Virginia Tech at East Carolina
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 16 Virginia Tech |
7 |
16 | 34 | 7 |
64 |
East Carolina |
17 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
17 |
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Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | 12:53 | ECU | Davon Grayson 9-yard pass from Gardiner Minshew (Jake Verity kick) | 7–0 ECU |
| Q1 | 8:44 | VT | Steven Peoples 1-yard Run (Joey Slye Kick) | 7–7 |
| Q1 | 7:55 | ECU | Trevon Brown 76-yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Jake Verity Kick) | 14–7 ECU |
| Q1 | 2:34 | ECU | Jake Verity 35-yard field goal | 17–7 ECU |
| Q2 | 13:11 | VT | Cam Phillips 10 Yd pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye Kick) | 17–14 ECU |
| Q2 | 8:36 | VT | Joey Slye 25-yard field goal | 17–17 |
| Q2 | 2:07 | VT | Joey Slye 34-yard field goal | 20–17 VT |
| Q2 | 0:43 | VT | Joey Slye 37-yard field goal | 23–17 VT |
| Q3 | 12:53 | VT | Cam Phillips 31-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) | 29–17 VT |
| Q3 | 11:54 | VT | Travon McMillian 70-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye Kick) | 36–17 VT |
| Q3 | 7:46 | VT | Cam Phillips 45-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye Kick) | 43–17 VT |
| Q3 | 5:54 | VT | Sean Savoy 9-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye Kick) | 50–17 VT |
| Q3 | 0:40 | VT | Jalen Holston 1-yard Run (Joey Slye Kick) | 57–17 VT |
| Q4 | 6:50 | VT | Coleman Fox 5-yard Run (Brian Johnson Kick) | 64–17 VT |
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Virginia Tech traveled to Greenville, North Carolina to take on East Carolina in a non-conference game. Things did not start well for the Hokies as the Pirates took an early 7–0 and then 17–7 lead as the first quarter ended. VT responded quickly thereafter, getting a touchdown catch from Cam Phillips and three Joey Slye field goals in the second quarter to take the lead at the half 23–17. In the second half the Hokies ran away with the game scoring five touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 57–17 lead. Four of the third quarter touchdowns were passes from quarterback Josh Jackson. Another touchdown in the fourth quarter gave the Hokies a 64–17 win over East Carolina.[6]
The Hokies rushed for 287 yards and Jackson passed for 388 yards and five touchdowns in the blowout. Phillips set a school record with 14 catches for 189 yards in the game.[6] Meanwhile, the Hokie defense held the Pirates to only 281 total yards. The win moved the Hokies to 3–0 on the season.
Old Dominion
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
Old Dominion at Virginia Tech
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Old Dominion |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• No. 13 Virginia Tech |
3 |
14 | 14 | 7 |
38 |
- Date: September 23
- Location:
Lane Stadium Blacksburg, Virginia - Game start: 2:05 pm
- Elapsed time: 3:01
- Game attendance: 65,632
- Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), Wind: 6 MPH SSE, Clear
- Referee: Tra Blake
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Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | 5:29 | VT | Joey Slye 31-yard field goal | 3–0 VT |
| Q2 | 6:07 | VT | Steven Peoples 17-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 10–0 VT |
| Q2 | 0:40 | VT | Steven Peoples 1-yard run (Joey Slye kick) | 17–0 VT |
| Q3 | 13:48 | VT | Steven Peoples 43-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 24–0 VT |
| Q3 | 8:06 | VT | C.J. Carroll 5-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 31–0 VT |
| Q4 | 13:31 | VT | Deshawn McClease 5-yard run (Joey Slye kick) | 38–0 VT |
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Clemson
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
Clemson at Virginia Tech
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 2 Clemson |
10 |
7 | 7 | 7 |
31 |
No. 12 Virginia Tech |
0 |
3 | 0 | 14 |
17 |
- Date: September 30
- Location:
Lane Stadium Blacksburg, Virginia - Game start: 8:21 pm
- Elapsed time: 3:15
- Game attendance: 65,632
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), Wind: 10 MPH ENE, Clear
- Referee: Jeff Heaser
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Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | 9:54 | CU | Alex Spence 23-yard field goal | 0–3 CU |
| Q1 | 6:48 | CU | Tavien Feaster 60-yard pass from Kelly Bryant (Alex Spence kick) | 0–10 CU |
| Q2 | 3:10 | VT | Joey Slye 43-yard field goal | 3–10 VT |
| Q2 | 1:19 | CU | C.J. Fuller 1-yard run (Alex Spence kick) | 3–17 CU |
| Q3 | 7:12 | CU | Tavien Feaster 1-yard run (Alex Spence kick) | 3–24 CU |
| Q4 | 14:00 | VT | Sean Savoy 2-yard run (Joey Slye kick) | 10–24 VT |
| Q4 | 11:08 | CU | Dorian O'Daniel 22-yard Interception Return (Alex Spence kick) | 10–31 CU |
| Q4 | 1:32 | VT | Sean Savoy 30-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 17–31 VT |
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At Boston College
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
Virginia Tech at Boston College
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 16 Virginia Tech |
7 |
10 | 3 | 3 |
23 |
Boston College |
3 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
10 |
- Date: October 7
- Location:
Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA - Game start: 7:15
- Elapsed time: 3:17
- Game attendance: 32,057
- Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), Wind: 14s, Clear
- Referee: J Magallanes
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | 8:26 | VT | Sean Savoy 53-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 0–7 VT |
| Q1 | 5:24 | BC | C.Lichtenberg 37-yard field goal | 3–7 BC |
| Q2 | 11:38 | VT | Joey Slye 34-yard field goal | 3–10 VT |
| Q2 | 6:19 | VT | Travon McMillian 23-yard run (Joey Slye kick) | 3–17 VT |
| Q3 | 10:44 | VT | Joey Slye 29-yard field goal | 3–20 VT |
| Q4 | 6:40 | VT | Joey Slye 26-yard field goal | 3–23 VT |
| Q4 | 5:38 | BC | Anthony Brown 25-yard pass from J.Smith (C. Lichtenberg kick) | 10–23 BC |
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North Carolina
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
North Carolina at Virginia Tech
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
North Carolina |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
• No. 14 Virginia Tech |
14 |
21 | 17 | 7 |
59 |
- Date: October 21
- Location:
Lane Stadium Blacksburg, Virginia - Game start: 3:35
- Elapsed time: 3:18
- Game attendance: 65,632
- Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), Wind: 4 MPH S, Clear
- Referee: Garry Patterson
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|
Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | 4:53 | VT | Ricky Walker 12-yard fumble return (Joey Slye kick) | 7–0 VT |
| Q1 | 2:32 | VT | Greg Stroman 91-yard punt return (Joey Slye kick) | 14–0 VT |
| Q2 | 5:33 | VT | Travon McMillian 4-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 21–0 VT |
| Q2 | 1:49 | VT | Reggie Floyd 69-yard interception return (Joey Slye kick) | 28–0 VT |
| Q2 | 0:05 | VT | Eric Kumah 8-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 35–0 VT |
| Q3 | 12:40 | VT | Cam Phillips 8-yard pass from Josh Jackson (Joey Slye kick) | 42–0 VT |
| Q3 | 10:01 | VT | Joey Slye 37-yard field goal | 45–0 VT |
| Q3 | 3:01 | VT | Samuel Denmark 16-yard pass from AJ Bush (Joey Slye kick) | 52–0 VT |
| Q4 | 14:05 | NC | Anthony Ratliff 43-yard pass from Chazz Surratt (Freeman Jones kick) | 52–7 VT |
| Q4 | 7:01 | VT | Jalen Holston 1-yard run (Brian Johnson kick) | 59–7 BC |
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Duke
More information Total ...
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Blue Devils |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
No. 13 Hokies |
7 |
10 |
7 |
0 |
24 |
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At Miami (FL)
More information Total ...
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
No. 13 Hokies |
0 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
10 |
No. 9 Hurricanes |
0 |
14 |
7 |
7 |
28 |
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At Georgia Tech
More information Total ...
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
No. 17 Hokies |
3 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
22 |
Yellow Jackets |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
28 |
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Pittsburgh
More information Total ...
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Panthers |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
14 |
Hokies |
7 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
20 |
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At Virginia
More information Total ...
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
No. 24 Hokies |
0 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
10 |
Cavaliers |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Vs. Oklahoma State-Camping World Bowl
More information Total ...
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
No. 22 Hokies |
7 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
21 |
No. 19 Cowboys |
3 |
10 |
14 |
3 |
30 |
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Since the start of the 2016 season, two days prior to each game, Head Coach Justin Fuente has selected an outstanding special teams player to wear the #25 jersey in honor of former head coach, Frank Beamer, who wore #25 as a player for Virginia Tech.
The players honored in the 2017 season are:
More information Game, Opponent ...
Game |
Opponent |
Player |
Game 1 |
West Virginia |
Anthony Shegog (2) |
Game 2 |
Delaware |
Colton Taylor |
Game 3 |
East Carolina |
Greg Stroman (2) |
Game 4 |
Old Dominion |
Deon Newsome |
Game 5 |
Clemson |
Terrell Edmunds (2) |
Game 6 |
Boston College |
Greg Stroman (3) |
Game 7 |
North Carolina |
Oscar Bradburn (Fr) |
Game 8 |
Duke |
Ricky Walker |
Game 9 |
Miami |
Sean Huelskamp (2) |
Game 10 |
Georgia Tech |
Tremaine Edmunds |
Game 11 |
Pittsburgh |
Andrew Motuapuaka |
Game 12 |
Virginia |
Jovonn Quillen |
Camping World Bowl |
Oklahoma State |
Andrew Motuapuaka (2) |
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The Hokies had five players selected in the 2018 NFL draft. The Edmunds brothers were both selected in the first round.
More information Player, Team ...
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More information Week, Poll ...
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
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AP | 21 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | RV | 24 | 22 | 22 | 24 |
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Coaches | 22 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | RV | 25 | 21 | 22 | 25 |
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CFP | Not released | 13 | 17 | — | 25 | 22 | 22 | Not released |
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