Tech-tacular

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Rivalry games always end with frustration or jubilation, depending upon which side your on. With so much at stake in Saturday's much anticipated game between Virginia and Virginia Tech there was plenty of both on display.

U.Va. linebacker Clint Sintim was ejected from the game in the closing seconds for hitting Tech quarterback Sean Glennon as he knelt to run out the clock and finalize the Hokie's 33-21 victory against the Cavaliers. But the cheap shot - perhaps a retaliation for an uncalled facemask that temporarily knocked Cavs quarterback Jameel Sewell out of the game - didn't put a damper on Virginia Tech's celebration.

The hoots and hollers could be heard loud and clear through the concrete walls outside the Hokies' locker room after Tech clinched the ACC Coastal Division and a spot in next week's conference championship game.

"It's just one of those rivalry games," Tech linebacker Vince Hall, a Chesapeake product, said. "When you come out of high school, the coaches are right there. One side wants you; you've got to choose your side. Once you choose your side, you've got to go with it. UVa is a good school, but Tech right now is the dominant one."

It was the Hokies' fourth consecutive win over the Cavs and this one set up a rematch with Atlantic Division winner Boston College next week in Jacksonville, Fla. The Eagles came from behind to beat the Hokies in Blacksburg earlier this season.

"We've been waiting for this opportunity," Tech receiver Eddie Royal said after making six catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. "And now we got it."

The Hokies struck first after a 43-yard punt return by Justin Harper set Tech up with great field position. Less than a minute and a half later freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor capped the 41-yard drive with a touchdown run around the left end from nine yards out to give Virginia Tech a 7-0 advantage.

After a three-and-out by the Cavaliers, Taylor's legs helped the Hokies drive 65 yards for another score. But despite the shifty Taylor escaping twice on the drive for long runs after it appeared Virginia had him in the backfield, the Hokies had to settle for a 20-yard field goal from Jud Dunlevy and a 10-0 lead with less than six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

U.Va. got on the board on its next possession after quarterback Sewell got into rhythm with back-to-back 22-yard completions before Mikell Simpson rushed 27 yards for a score. The Hokies countered with field goal before the end of the quarter to make it a 13-7 Virginia Tech lead after one period.

The Wahoos took some momentum away from the Hokies in the second quarter when a trick play by Virginia Tech backfired.

Taylor tossed the ball backwards across the field to wide receiver Eddie Royal, who then launched a pass downfield into the waiting arms of Virginia cornerback Chris Cook.

Cook returned the interception 25 yards to the Cavs' 48-yard line and Virginia took advantage with an eight-play scoring drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown run by Sewell. After the PAT by Chris Gould the Hoos led 14-13 with 6:35 left in the half.

But Virginia's good fortunes didn't last for the remainder of the half. Brandon Flowers picked off a Sewell pass and Glennon hit Royal for a 39-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds left to send the Hokies to the locker room with a 20-14 lead. It was a turn of events Virginia coach Al Groh would lament later.

"We had the ball with 40 seconds to go in the first half, and 28 seconds later, they had seven points," Groh said. "You look back at the final score, and that's a substantial seven points … that we had no chance to answer. That was like seven bonus points."

Turnovers continued to dictate the tone of the game early in the second half. The Hokies pushed the lead to nine points early in the third quarter, but gave U.Va. the ball with excellent field position after Chris Long forced a fumble while sacking Glennon.

Antonio Applebee recovered the loose ball for the Cavs at the Tech 28-yard line and Sewell scored on a quarterback keeper from two yards out to make it a 23-21 Hokies lead late in the third.

But the Virginia team that rallied for victories in the fourth quarter so many times this season couldn't repeat the feat in its most important game of the year. Taylor would add a five-yard touchdown run to put the Hokies ahead by two scores with just under 12 minutes to go. Tech added another field goal seven minutes later to go ahead by 12 and essentially closed the door U.Va.'s comeback attempt.

"We knew we were going to get Virginia's best shot," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. "It was a team win. We did some things on special teams. We did some things on defense. We did some things on offense. The end result was a great team win."

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or