1999 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

Schedule

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Rankings

Game summaries

James Madison

Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA

• Source: Box Score

Freshman Michael Vick ran for three touchdowns in the first 22 minutes of the game, but left due to an injury after he somersaulted into the end zone on the third score. Playing in his first collegiate game, Vick had run for 54 yards, and thrown for 110 yards in leading the Hokies to a 24–0 lead that turned into a 47–0 win. Shyrone Stith led the Hokies on the ground with 122 yards on 18 carries. Andre Kendrick had 11 carries for 45 yards including a 2-yard touchdown that capped the scoring. Andre Davis scored on a 22-yard reverse and backup quarterback Dave Meyer had the other rushing touchdown for Tech. Shayne Graham kicked a 32-yard field goal. Corey Moore had a sack and two tackles for loss, including one that resulted in a JMU safety in the second quarter.

UAB

Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA

• Source: Box Score

Virginia Tech's defense set a school record, allowing only 63 yards of total offense, leading the Hokies over visiting University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) 31-10. Tech played without starting quarterback Michael Vick, who was relieved by Dave Meyer. Meyer threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Emmitt Johnson on the first series of the game to give Tech the lead it would never relinquish. However, before halftime, he turned the ball over four times, three interceptions and a fumble. Those turnovers enabled the Blazers to stay in the game, and Tech led by 17-10 at halftime thanks to a 22-yard field goal by Shayne Graham and a one-yard touchdown by Shyrone Stith. The lead remained at seven points until early in the fourth quarter when tailback Andre Kendrick threw a 35-yard option touchdown pass to Andre Davis. Lee Suggs capped the scoring with a one-yard touchdown jaunt with 2:07 left in the game, one of only four carries he had on the day. Stith led the Hokies with 129 rushing yards and Kendrick added 44 yards rushing to his passing touchdown. Corey Moore had three sacks for 27 yards and two tackles for loss for another three yards.

Clemson

Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA

• Source: Box Score

Virginia Tech led the entire way in this Thursday night ESPN contest, but needed two late scores by the defense to seal the win. The Hokies jumped out to a 14-0 lead during a two-minute span from the end of the first to the beginning of the second quarters when Shyrone Stith capped a drive with a three-yard run, putting them ahead 7-0 with 1:12 left in the first quarter. On their next possession, Virginia Tech quickly extended their lead. Freshman quarterback Michael Vick, playing for the first time since his first half injury against JMU, gained 31 yards on an option play, setting the stage for backup tailback Andre Kendrick to score on a 24-yard run. Clemson got on the board for the first time with a 27-yard field goal by Chris Campbell to make the half-time lead 14-3 Tech. The Tigers cut the Tech lead to a field goal when it ran a fake field goal from the Tech nine with place kicker Tony Lazzara passing to running back Vince Ciurciu. Clemson then converted a two-point attempt with a pass from quarterback Brandon Streeter to Jason LeMay, making the score 14-11. Shayne Graham gave the Hokie a six-point lead with five minutes left in the game before the country's top-ranked defense came through for the Hokies. First, Ike Charlton intercepted a pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. Shortly afterward, All-American player Moore stripped the ball from the Clemson quarterback, recovered it, and ran 32 yards to score another touchdown, the first of his career. Tech piled up 285 rushing yards led by Stith's 162 yards and Vick's 60 yards. The Hokie "D" allowed only 221 yards, with only a net of 17 on the ground. Moore had two tackles for loss and two sacks while Jamel Smith led the team with 11 total tackles, including seven solo efforts.

At Virginia

Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA

• Source: Box Score

Michael Vick completed seven of nine passes for 222 yards and ran for another 40 yards to give the Hokies a dominating 31-7 win in their first away game of the season. It was the first time that Tech played UVA in game not the season finale since 1989. On its second possession, Vick threw 60-yards to Andre Davis to open the scoring. Shyrone Stith then scored on three one-yard runs before the end of the first half to put the Hokies up 28-7 at the break. In total he ran for 113 yards on 23 carries. The Tech defense held the 24th ranked Cavaliers to 51 net yards rushing including seven tackles for loss and six sacks. John Engelberger led the Hokies with two of each.

At Rutgers

Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ

• Source: Box Score

The fifth-ranked Hokies put up 35 points in the second quarter to throttle the Scarlet Knights 58-20 in Piscataway, NJ. Vick was 11-12 through the air, including two touchdown passes to Andre Davis (74 and 13), and another two to Ricky Hall (36 and five). He had a total of 248 passing yards and also put up 68 rushing yards and a touchdown. Shryone Stith had 59 yards and a touchdown, Jarrett Ferguson had 40 yards and a ground score, and Andre Kendrick also hauled one into the end zone. Tech had six tackles for loss and five sacks. Ronyell Whitaker returned a blocked PAT for a two-point defensive extra point, capping the Hokies 58-point effort.

No. 16 Syracuse

Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA

• Source: Box Score

Virginia Tech scored two touchdowns in every quarter, including three tallies by the defense in a stifling performance, beating the 16th ranked Syracuse Orange 62-0. At the time, it was the largest shutout defeat a ranked team had suffered. The Tech defense opened the scoring mid-way through the first quarter on a 26-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by Cory Bird. The "D" had 12 tackles for loss and two sacks in holding the 'Cuse to 77 net yards rushing and allowed only six completed passes for a total of 43 yard, a total of 120 total yards. After running up a 48-0 lead at the end of the third quarter, Tech put in second-string quarterback Dave Meyer and throttled down its offense. (Michael Vick was only 8-16 for 135 yards and an 8-yard touchdown to Ricky Hall). However, the defense kept up the pressure, scoring on two straight Syracuse possessions, once on a 46-yard pick-six by Phillip Summers and a then on a fumble by the Syracuse punter in the end zone by Tee Butler. On offense, Shyrone Stith ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Backfield mate Andre Kendrick had 65 yards and one touchdown. Andre Davis ran a reverse 28 yards for a score. Shayne Graham kicked two field goals.

At Pittsburgh

Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA

• Source: Box Score

The Hokies beat the Pittsburgh Panthers 30–17 at Three Rivers Stadium. The win improved Virginia Tech’s record to 8–0. The Hokies opened the scoring in the first quarter following a blocked punt by Andre Davis, which set up a 46-yard touchdown run by quarterback Michael Vick. Later in the quarter, Vick connected with Davis for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Shayne Graham added a 20-yard field goal in the second quarter, giving the Hokies a 17–0 lead. Pittsburgh responded with two touchdown passes from quarterback David Priestley, narrowing the score to 20–14 in the third quarter. Graham added a 28-yard field goal to extend the lead to 23–14. In the fourth quarter, Vick scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to seal the game at 30–17. Virginia Tech’s offensive leaders included Michael Vick, who passed for 131 yards and rushed for 55 yards with two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). Andre Kendrick led all rushers with 139 yards on 20 carries. Andre Davis recorded 76 receiving yards and one touchdown, along with a blocked punt. Defensively, the Hokies allowed 407 passing yards but limited Pittsburgh to 17 points. Linebacker Jamel Smith led the team with 12 tackles, while Corey Moore added two sacks and a forced fumble.

At West Virginia

Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV

• Source: Box Score

Virginia Tech defeated West Virginia 22–20 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. The game, later dubbed the “Miracle in Morgantown,” preserved the Hokies’ undefeated season and national title hopes. Virginia Tech opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 46-yard touchdown run by Andre Kendrick. West Virginia answered with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Marc Bulger to Khori Ivy, tying the game at 7–7. Shayne Graham added a 20-yard field goal and Shyrone Stith scored on a 6-yard run in the third quarter to give Tech a 15–7 lead. West Virginia surged ahead in the fourth quarter with two touchdown passes from Brad Lewis—one to Shawn Terry and another to Ivy—taking a 20–15 lead with 1:11 remaining. Michael Vick then led a dramatic final drive, completing a 26-yard pass to Emmett Johnson and scrambling for 13 yards to move the Hokies into field goal range. With five seconds left, Shayne Graham converted a 44-yard field goal to win the game. Virginia Tech’s offensive leaders included Michael Vick, who passed for 255 yards and rushed for 50 yards. Shyrone Stith rushed for 84 yards and one touchdown, while Andre Kendrick added 71 yards and a touchdown. Emmett Johnson led receivers with 71 yards. Defensively, Corey Moore recorded two sacks and Jamel Smith led the team with 10 tackles.

No. 19 Miami (FL)

Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA

• Source: Box Score

On November 13, 1999, No. 2 Virginia Tech defeated No. 19 Miami 43–10 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast live from campus for the first time, underscoring national interest in the Hokies’ undefeated season. Miami jumped out to a 10–0 lead in the first quarter with a 28-yard field goal by Andy Crosland and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Kelly to Andre King. Virginia Tech responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Shyrone Stith late in the first quarter, followed by a 41-yard scoring run from Stith early in the second to take a 14–10 halftime lead. The Hokies added two field goals from Shayne Graham in the third quarter (42 and 28 yards) to extend the margin to 20–10. In the fourth quarter, Tech scored 23 unanswered points: Michael Vick threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to André Davis, Ricky Hall returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown, and Vick added a 10-yard touchdown run. Michael Vick finished with 143 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and 60 rushing yards with one rushing score. Shyrone Stith rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns. André Davis led receivers with 76 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, cornerback Anthony Midget intercepted three passes, while Ike Charlton recovered three fumbles, returning one 51 yards for a touchdown. Corey Moore added two sacks, and Jamel Smith recorded nine tackles, including six solo stops

At Temple

Veterans Stadium Philadelphia, PA

• Source: Box Score

Virginia Tech defeated Temple 62–7 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, improving to 10–0 on the season. Temple scored first on a 2-yard touchdown run by Marcus Godfrey, but Virginia Tech responded with 62 unanswered points. Michael Vick tied the game with a 53-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. In the second, Vick added a 1-yard touchdown run, and Shayne Graham kicked a 22-yard field goal. Vick then connected with André Davis for a 39-yard touchdown pass, giving the Hokies a 24–7 halftime lead. Virginia Tech dominated the second half. Vick opened the third quarter with a 75-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, he threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Hall and added a 1-yard touchdown run—his fourth rushing score of the game. In the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Dave Meyer threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Johnson, and backup tailback Jarrett Ferguson scored on a 1-yard run to close out the scoring. Michael Vick finished with 203 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on just eight carries, along with 122 passing yards and two touchdown passes. André Davis led all receivers with 89 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Corey Moore recorded two sacks and a forced fumble, while Jamel Smith led the team with 10 tackles. The Hokies outgained Temple 607 to 254 in total yardage and forced three turnovers

No. 22 Boston College

Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA

• Source: Box Score

Tech defeated No. 22 Boston College 38–14 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, completing the program’s first perfect regular season since 1918. The Hokies improved to 11–0 and remained in contention for a berth in the national championship game. Virginia Tech opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run by Shyrone Stith in the first quarter. In the second, Michael Vick threw two long touchdown passes to André Davis—one for 69 yards and another for 59 yards—followed by a 40-yard field goal from Shayne Graham to give the Hokies a 24–0 halftime lead. Boston College scored in the third quarter on a 97-yard touchdown pass from Tim Hasselbeck to Dedrick Dewalt, but Virginia Tech responded in the fourth with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jarrett Ferguson and a 1-yard touchdown pass from Vick to Ricky Hall. Boston College added a late touchdown to close the scoring. Michael Vick finished with 222 passing yards and three touchdowns, along with 42 rushing yards. André Davis led all receivers with 140 yards and two touchdowns. Shyrone Stith rushed for 78 yards and one score. Defensively, Corey Moore recorded two sacks and a forced fumble, while Jamel Smith led the team with 11 tackles. Virginia Tech’s defense held Boston College to 14 rushing yards and forced two turnovers

No. 1 Florida State (Sugar Bowl)

Louisiana Superdome New Orleans

• Source: Box Score

Main article: 2000 Sugar Bowl

Tech faced No. 1 Florida State in the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game served as the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship and marked Virginia Tech’s first appearance in a title game. Florida State won 46–29 to complete a perfect season and claim the national championship. Florida State jumped out to a 28–14 halftime lead behind explosive plays, including a 64-yard touchdown pass from Chris Weinke to Peter Warrick and a 59-yard punt return touchdown by Warrick. Virginia Tech responded with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to André Davis and a 3-yard touchdown run by Vick. In the third quarter, Virginia Tech rallied to take a 29–28 lead. Shayne Graham kicked a 23-yard field goal, and Andre Kendrick added touchdown runs of 29 and 6 yards. Florida State regained control in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 unanswered points. Weinke threw touchdown passes to Ron Dugans and Warrick, and Sebastian Janikowski added a field goal. Michael Vick finished with 225 passing yards, 97 rushing yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown. Andre Kendrick rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns. André Davis led all receivers with 108 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Jamel Smith recorded 10 tackles, while Corey Moore added two sacks. Virginia Tech outgained Florida State on the ground 278 to 30 but allowed 329 passing yards and three touchdown receptions to Warrick.

Roster

Awards and honors

• Michael Vick – Big East Rookie of the Year, Big East Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-American, Archie Griffin Award, Heisman Trophy finalist (3rd)
• Corey Moore – Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-American, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award
• Shayne Graham – Big East Special Teams Player of the Year
• Frank Beamer – Big East Coach of the Year, AFCA Coach of the Year, AP Coach of the Year, Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, George Munger Award, Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award

Players in the 2000 NFL draft

The following players were selected in the 2000 NFL draft following the season.

References

References

1. (1999-09-05). "Expected rout brings unexpected". The Roanoke Times.
2. (1999-09-05). "Eleventh-ranked Hokies, QB Vick vaporize Dukes". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
3. (1999-09-05). "No. 11 Hokies turn James into Dolly: Virginia Tech beats James Madison, 47-0". The Daily News-Journal.
4. (1999-09-12). "Virginia Tech defense paves the way past UAB". Culpeper Star-Exponent.
5. (1999-09-12). "A farewell beating: Hokies don't get shutout, but do shut down Blazers". The Roanoke Times.
6. (1999-09-12). "Hokies win without Vick: Tech struggles but beats UAB for third time". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
7. (1999-09-24). "Article clipped from The News and Advance". The News and Advance.
8. (September 24, 1999). "Hokies' Defense Finishes Clemson". [[The Washington Post]].
9. (1999-09-24). "Defense does it: Two late TDs help Hokies turn game into rout". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
10. (October 3, 1999). "Cavs Find Themselves Stuffed". [[The Washington Post]].
11. (October 3, 1999). "Virginia Tech on the move". [[ESPN]].
12. (1999-10-03). "Tech-nical knockout: Vick, Stith deliver 1-2 punch for Hokies". The Roanoke Times.
13. (1999-10-03). "Tech-nical knockout: Vick brillian as Hokies romp past Cavaliers". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
14. (October 10, 1999). "Rutgers Has No Answer For Vick". [[The New York Times]].
15. (1999-10-10). "High-Tech victory: Vick leads Hokies to 5-0 start behind explosive offense". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
16. (1999-10-10). "Knights out: Michael Vick throws for four touchdowns as the Hokies win Big East opener". The Roanoke Times.
17. (October 17, 1999). "Virginia Tech Shows the Look of a National Champion, 62-0". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
18. (1999-10-17). "Orange peeled: Unbeaten Tech makes 'statement' against Syracuse". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
19. (1999-10-17). "Turning on the juice: Hokies send Orangemen back home embarrassed". The Roanoke Times.
20. (October 31, 1999). "Virginia Tech Runs Its Record to 7-0 for First Time in 32 Years". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
21. (1999-10-31). "Taking offense: Kendrick, Vick help pick up slack for Hokies' defense". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
22. (1999-10-31). "Hokies avoid Pitt-fall: Panthers' passing keeps Tech from another rout". The Roanoke Times.
23. (November 7, 1999). "No. 3 Virginia Tech Wins by a Foot". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
24. (1999-11-07). "Alive and kicking: Late field goal keeps Hokies in title hunt". The Roanoke Times.
25. (1999-11-07). "Hokies survive on finishing kick: Graham's FG keeps title hopes alive". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
26. (November 14, 1999). "Hokies Seize Their Opening To Secure a Title Game Bid". [[The New York Times]].
27. (1999-11-14). "Miami maulers: Sugar in sight as No. 2 Hokies rip Hurricanes". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
28. (1999-11-14). "Sweet victory: With Tennessee loss, Hokies are in line for Sugar Bowl more than ever". The Roanoke Times.
29. (November 21, 1999). "Vick Leads Way as No. 2 Virginia Tech Rolls to 62-7 Win". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
30. (1999-11-21). "Temple Vick-timized: Freshman QB, Virginia Tech run season record to 10-0". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
31. (November 27, 1999). "Hokies Smell Sugar at 11-0". [[The Washington Post]].
32. (2010-09-26). "Hokies ground Eagles: The Virginia Tech defense limits BC to 250 total yards". The Roanoke Times.
33. (1999-11-27). "11-0!: Unbeaten in regular season, Hokies target national title". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
34. (January 5, 2000). "Florida State Holds Off Vick and Virginia Tech, 46-29, for National Title". [[Los Angeles Times]].
35. (2000-01-06). "A magical season comes to an end: FSU avenges title loss to finish No. 1 in AP poll". The Roanoke Times.
36. (2000-01-05). "Rise and fall: Warrick's MVP effort thwarts Hokies, lifts Seminoles to crown". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
37. "Vick lives up to hype: Hokies' heralded freshman makes impressive debut". The Staunton News Leader.
38. (September 12, 1999). "Tech defense smothers UAB". Daily Press.
39. "2000 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com".