Photo Credit: ACC Media
#19 Virginia Tech had a strong offensive day but their defensive struggles proved costly as they fell to #8 North Carolina 56-45. However, there were multiple Hokies who played very well with a pair of offensive stars earning our Hokie of the Game honors.
Hokies of the Game: Khalil Herbert and James Mitchell
While we usually have an offensive and defensive Hokie of the Game, it was impossible not overlook the gap in performances on each side of the ball so we have two offensive players as our Hokies of the Game in Khalil Herbert and James Mitchell.
Khalil Herbert once again put on a show for the Hokies as he had 18 carries for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns being decisive and aggressive on the ground today. While Tech surprisingly didn't give him a lot of carries early, Herbert took over more and more once the Hokies started to regularly feed while also benefitting from Hendon Hooker giving the Hokies a legitimate passing threat.
This game was Herbert's lowest yards per carry output at 7.7, another impressive sign of how good Herbert is and how dynamic he will continue to be for the Hokies going forward.
While the loss may hurt the Khalil Herbert for Heisman campaign his teammates and fans launched last week, his performance definitely keeps him right there on the fringe of it.
James Mitchell has had a strong start to his season and that continued today with 4 catches for a career high 103 yards and 1 touchdown along with a 1-yard touchdown carry. Mitchell's day included an impressive circus juggle catch along with a couple shrugged off tackles and some great blocks.
The growth of Mitchell into a well-rounded tight end and a great receiver has been impressive to watch as he is clearly one of the best tight ends in America who can do it all and make plays from almost anywhere.
Dalton Keene may have set the new record for the highest-selected tight end in program history, but James Mitchell might just break it if he keeps playing like this.
Hendon Hooker received plenty of consideration after an impressive second half finishing this game 7-13 for 136 yards and 2 TDs while also running for 29 yards and 1 TD on 8 carries, solidifying himself as Tech's QB going forward.
Tayvion Robinson had a solid day with 4 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown while Tre Turner had 2 catches for 51 yards. Jermaine Waller was the best defensive player in this game with 8 tackles including 1 for loss and a pass breakup as he showed some rust but was solid overall.