Photo Credit: ACC Media
Virginia Tech needed a bounce back win and got it with a 42-35 victory at Louisville, putting the Hokies at .500 in road games in a season where home teams have been more dominant than normal in the ACC despite the crowd capacity limits.
Tech had plenty of strong performances but a pair of Greensboro natives stood out the most to earn this week's Hokies of the Game honors.
Offensive Hokie of the Game: Hendon Hooker
When you go a perfect 10-10 passing, something that hasn't been done by any other quarterback in school history on 8+ pass attempts in a game (since at least 1987), then you're having yourself a game to remember.
Hooker went from having his worst game to possibly the best of his career as he was 10-10 passing for 183 yards while also having 19 carries for 68 yards and 3 touchdowns, all of which came in the first half including 2 in the first quarter. Hooker was accurate and effective while displaying great toughness after taking his fair share of big hits in this game.
In general, Hooker reminded us why it was pretty clear last week was a fluke of a bad game, getting back on track in a big way at Louisville.
Khalil Herbert broke the 100+ rushing yard mark for the fifth time in six games with a team high 147 yards on 21 carries including a 24-yard touchdown late that helped seal the game. Tre Turner also had a big game with 4 catches for 71 yards plus 2 carries for 10 yards and a touchdown as he continues to find his rhythm and Brad Cornelsen continues to utilize his best receiver in more, better ways.
Defensive Hokie of the Game: Alan Tisdale
Entering this season, Alan Tisdale was considered more of a coverage-first backer with Dax Hollifield being the run-first backer for the early downs. Now, Tisdale has developed into a complete backer and is really start to reach his potential, emerging as Tech's best linebacker so far this season and claiming a massive lockdown of the backer job.
Tisdale played well yesterday leading the Hokies with 9 tackles including 2.5 for loss while also having a pass breakup as he was all over the field in this game. Tisdale has always been a natural fit at backer and his athleticism also makes him a natural fit in a Justin Hamilton defense that is looking to become more athletic at linebacker.
Tisdale is on the rise and in a defense looking for better play from their linebackers, that's a good sign going forward.
Divine Deablo was once again very good as he had 7 tackles including 1 for loss plus an interception in what was a good instinctual play on a tipped ball. Chamarri Conner shared the team lead with 9 tackles to go with an interception and a pass breakup while Justus Reed had 2 sacks and Devin Taylor had 4 tackles plus an interception.
