Virginia Tech Has Easy Time

Virginia Tech’s stingy defense overcame a sloppy offense and a game-long downpour as the 17th-ranked and unbeaten Hokies broke a tie for the Big East Conference lead with Boston College, defeating the Eagles, 17-0, Thursday night.

The Hokies committed six turnovers, five by reserve quarterback Nick Sorensen, but took advantage of repeated mistakes by the Eagles--three interceptions, a fumble and two blocked punts.

Pierson Prioleau scored on an 85-yard interception return in the first quarter, Lamont Pegues ran in from the two-yard line after a blocked punt in the third, and Shayne Graham followed a fumble recovery with a 29-yard field goal with 8:38 left in the game.

Virginia Tech improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1967, while Boston College slipped to 3-2 with its second loss in a row as both teams struggled to hang onto the wet ball during a steady rain.

Sorensen, a backup quarterback last season who switched to free safety this season, started at quarterback because of injuries to Al Clark and Dave Meyer. He threw two interceptions and lost three fumbles.

Boston College suffered its first shutout since Oct. 4, 1980, when it lost, 21-0, at Navy, and its first at home since Sept. 15, 1972, when it was beaten by Tulane, 10-0.

The Hokies have given up only four touchdowns all season and recorded their second shutout. They have outscored opponents, 146-30, and entered the game with the Big East’s top-ranked defense, only 216 yards a game and only 58 on the ground.

One of the few bright spots for Boston College was Mike Cloud, the nation’s No. 5 rusher. He gained 186 yards in 32 carries, the fifth time he has gained 100 yards this season.

The Eagles advanced to the Virginia Tech 18 on a 23-yard run by Cloud late in the first quarter. But two plays later, quarterback Scott Mutryn threw the ball right to Prioleau, who raced 85 yards up the right side for the touchdown.