| 1989 Virginia Tech Hokies football | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | Independent |
| Record | 6–4–1 |
| Head coach |
|
| Offensive coordinator | Steve Marshall (2nd season) |
| Offensive scheme | Pro-style |
| Defensive coordinator | Mike Clark (2nd season) |
| Base defense | 4–4 |
| Home stadium | Lane Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 Miami (FL) | – | 11 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2 Notre Dame | – | 12 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 Florida State | – | 10 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Illinois | – | 9 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 15 Penn State | – | 8 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 17 Pittsburgh | – | 8 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 21 West Virginia | – | 8 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syracuse | – | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southwestern Louisiana | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Akron | – | 6 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | – | 6 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia Tech | – | 6 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana Tech | – | 5 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisville | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East Carolina | – | 5 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulsa | – | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Miss | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulane | – | 4 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Navy | – | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rutgers | – | 2 | – | 7 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memphis State | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati | – | 1 | – | 9 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Temple | – | 1 | – | 10 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rankings from AP Poll | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 1989 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an independent during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by third-year head coach Frank Beamer, the Hokies finished the season with a record of 6–4–1.[1] The team played its home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Virginia Tech opened the season with a 29–3 win over Akron, then rallied to tie South Carolina 17–17 on the road. The Hokies fell 27–7 at No. 7 Clemson before rebounding with a 23–0 shutout of Temple. After a bye week, Tech upset No. 17 West Virginia 12–10 in Morgantown, then returned home for a 41–7 loss to No. 6 Florida State.
In late October, Virginia Tech dropped a close game to East Carolina, then defeated Tulane 30–13 and Vanderbilt 18–0 in consecutive weeks. Beamer missed the Tulane game while recovering from a heart procedure, and assistant head coach Billy Hite served as interim head coach.[2] Beamer made a surprise appearance in the locker room before kickoff, delivering an emotional message that galvanized the team.[2]
The Hokies fell 32–25 to in-state rival Virginia in Charlottesville, but closed the season with a 25–23 win at NC State.
Over 11 games, Virginia Tech scored 213 points and allowed 191.[3] The Hokies gained 3,456 total yards, including 1,752 rushing and 1,704 passing.[3] Quarterback Will Furrer led the team with 1,868 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.[3] Jon Jeffries rushed for 753 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Myron Richardson led all receivers with 662 yards and 4 scores.[3] Kicker Mickey Thomas converted 17 field goals, and linebacker Jody Grooms] recorded 108 total tackles, including 12 for loss and 4 sacks.[3]
Despite posting a winning record and upsetting a ranked opponent, Virginia Tech was not selected for a bowl game.[1] The Hokies were considered for the Independence Bowl, which ultimately invited Oregon (7–4) and Tulsa (6–5).[4] At the time, only 18 bowl games were held, offering 36 total spots, and selections were influenced by conference affiliations and regional appeal.[5]
The 1989 season was viewed as a turning point in Beamer's rebuilding effort, establishing a foundation for the program's rise in the decade ahead.[2]
Schedule
edit| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Akron | SCA | W 29–3 | 28,371 | [6] | |
| September 9 | 7:00 p.m. | at South Carolina | T 17–17 | 71,842 | [7] | ||
| September 16 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 7 Clemson |
| WJPR | L 7–27 | 47,152 | [8] |
| September 23 | 12:00 p.m. | Temple |
| WJPR | W 23–0 | 32,157 | [9] |
| October 7 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 9 West Virginia | W 12–10 | 62,563 | [10] | ||
| October 14 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 19 Florida State |
| WJPR | L 7–41 | 41,832 | [11] |
| October 21 | 2:00 p.m. | at East Carolina | L 10–14 | 35,100 | [12] | ||
| October 28 | 12:00 p.m. | Tulane |
| SCA | W 30–13 | 26,353 | [13] |
| November 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Vanderbilt |
| WJPR | W 18–0 | 23,752 | [14] |
| November 11 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 18 Virginia | L 25–32 | 44,300 | [15] | ||
| November 18 | 1:00 p.m. | at NC State | W 25–23 | 43,100 | [16] | ||
| |||||||
Game summaries
edit| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| • Virginia Tech | 16 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 29 |
- Date: September 2
- Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
- Game start: 12:08 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:04
- Game attendance: 28,371
- Game weather: Sunny, 77 °F (25 °C), Winds NW 13 mph (21 km/h)
| 1 | {{{Time}}} | VT | Jon Jeffries 8-yard pass from Will Furrer (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 7–0 |
| {{{Time}}} | VT | Mickey Thomas 21-yard field goal | VT 10–0 | |
| 01:32 | VT | Myron Richardson 39-yard pass from Will Furrer (kick failed) | VT 16–0 | |
| 3 | {{{Time}}} | VT | Jon Jeffries 40-yard rush (pass failed) | VT 22–0 |
| 05:51 | Akron | Daron Alcorn 53-yard field goal | VT 22–3 | |
| 4 | {{{Time}}} | VT | Myron Richardson 24-yard pass from Will Furrer (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 29–3 |
Virginia Tech opened the 1989 season with a 29–3 victory over Akron at Lane Stadium, building a 16–0 first-quarter lead and never looking back.
Virginia Tech built a 16–0 first-quarter lead and never looked back. The Hokies scored on three of their first four possessions and added two second-half touchdowns to secure the victory.
Furrer completed 10 of 18 passes for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Jeffries rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Richardson caught 2 passes for 63 yards and 2 scores. The Hokies gained 405 total yards and forced 3 turnovers.[18]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| South Carolina | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
- Date: September 9
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
- Game start: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:53
- Game attendance: 71,824
- Game weather: Clear, 85 °F (29 °C), Winds SE 7 mph (11 km/h)
| 1 | {{{Time}}} | South Carolina | Harold Green 44-yard rush (Collin Mackie kick) | South Carolina 7–0 |
| 01:47 | South Carolina | Robert Brooks 13-yard pass from Todd Ellis (Collin Mackie kick) | South Carolina 14–0 | |
| 2 | {{{Time}}} | VT | Jon Jeffries 5-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | South Carolina 14–7 |
| 03:41 | VT | Jon Jeffries 1-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | Tied 14–14 | |
| 3 | {{{Time}}} | VT | Mickey Thomas 26-yard field goal | VT 17–14 |
| 4 | 00:52 | South Carolina | Collin Mackie 33-yard field goal | Tied 17–17 |
Virginia Tech and South Carolina played to a 17–17 tie on September 9, 1989, at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Hokies rallied from a 14–0 first-quarter deficit to take the lead, but South Carolina tied the game with a fourth-quarter field goal.
South Carolina opened the scoring with two first-quarter touchdowns to take a 14–0 lead. Virginia Tech answered with two second-quarter touchdowns to tie the game 14–14 at halftime. The Hokies took the lead with a third-quarter field goal, but South Carolina tied the game with a field goal in the final minute.
Jeffries rushed for 59 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries, while Will Furrer completed 16 of 33 passes for 212 yards. Myron Richardson led all receivers with 5 catches for 84 yards. The Hokies gained 355 total yards and held South Carolina to 247 yards.[19]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • No. 7 Clemson | 7 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 27 |
| Virginia Tech | 0 | 0 | 7 | {{{H4}}} | 7 |
- Date: September 16
- Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
- Game start: 7:09 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:52
- Game attendance: 47,152
- Game weather: Cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C), Calm winds
| 1 | 01:55 | Clemson | Terry Allen 16-yard rush (Chris Gardocki kick) | Clemson 7–0 |
| 2 | 09:05 | Clemson | Chris Gardocki 40-yard field goal | Clemson 10–0 |
| 3 | 08:36 | Clemson | Chris Gardocki 37-yard field goal | Clemson 13–0 |
| 00:34 | Clemson | Gary Cooper 66-yard pass from Terry Allen (Chris Gardocki kick) | Clemson 20–0 | |
| 00:21 | VT | Marcus Mickel 90-yard kickoff return (Mickey Thomas kick) | Clemson 20–7 | |
| 00:02 | Clemson | Levon Kirkland 47-yard interception return (Chris Gardocki kick) | Clemson 27–7 | |
Virginia Tech dropped its first game of the season with a 27–7 defeat to No. 7 Clemson on September 16, 1989, at Lane Stadium. The Hokies were held scoreless until the third quarter and committed three turnovers, while Clemson scored three touchdowns in a span of 32 seconds to break the game open.
Clemson took a 10–0 halftime lead on a Terry Allen touchdown run and Chris Gardocki field goal. In the third quarter, the Tigers scored three touchdowns in a span of 32 seconds to break the game open — a Gardocki field goal, a 66-yard halfback pass from Allen to Gary Cooper, and a 47-yard interception return by Levon Kirkland. Virginia Tech's only score came on Marcus Mickel's 90-yard kickoff return.
Will Furrer completed 16 of 32 passes for 148 yards and 3 interceptions, while Cam Young rushed for 27 yards on 3 carries. Marcus Mickel returned 6 kickoffs for 214 yards, including the 90-yard touchdown. The Hokies gained 243 total yards and committed 3 turnovers.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Virginia Tech | 7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
- Date: September 23
- Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
- Game start: 12:10 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:10
- Game attendance: 32,157
- Game weather: Rain, 71 °F (22 °C), Winds W 12 mph (19 km/h)
| 1 | 12:35 | VT | Tony Kennedy 3-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 7–0 |
| 2 | 05:25 | VT | Vaughn Hebron 1-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 14–0 |
| 00:18 | VT | Mickey Thomas 26-yard field goal | VT 17–0 | |
| 3 | 09:35 | VT | Mickey Thomas 31-yard field goal | VT 20–0 |
| 4 | 09:25 | VT | Mickey Thomas 29-yard field goal | VT 23–0 |
Virginia Tech earned its second win of the season with a 23–0 shutout of Temple on September 23, 1989, at Lane Stadium. The Hokies rushed for 241 yards, forced two turnovers, and held the Owls to –24 rushing yards and just 9 first downs.
Virginia Tech took control early, building a 17–0 halftime lead on touchdown runs by Tony Kennedy and Vaughn Hebron, plus a Mickey Thomas field goal. Thomas added two more field goals in the second half to complete the shutout.
Virginia Tech totaled 354 yards of offense, including 241 rushing and 113 passing, and recorded 19 first downs. Hebron led the ground game with 84 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Kennedy added 62 yards and a score on 12 attempts. Will Furrer completed 10 of 18 passes for 113 yards, and Myron Richardson caught 4 passes for 52 yards.
Defensively, the Hokies recorded five sacks and held Temple to 137 total yards. Jock Jones led the team with 10 tackles and 2 sacks, while Scott Hill added 8 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitch Dove and Roger Brown each broke up passes, and Al Chamblee contributed a tackle for loss. Temple converted just 2 of 13 third downs.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 2 kickoffs for 44 yards and 2 punts for 16 yards. Mickey Thomas converted all three field goal attempts and both extra points.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Virginia Tech | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| No. 9 West Virginia | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
- Date: October 7
- Location: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:10
- Game attendance: 63,500
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 66 °F (19 °C), Winds W 10 mph (16 km/h)
| 1 | 04:52 | VT | Mickey Thomas 27-yard field goal | VT 3–0 |
| 2 | 05:43 | West Virginia | Garrett Ford Jr. 1-yard rush (Brad Carroll kick) | West Virginia 7–3 |
| 08:12 | VT | Mickey Thomas 32-yard field goal | Tied 7–7 | |
| 3 | 06:27 | VT | Mickey Thomas 34-yard field goal | VT 10–7 |
| 02:45 | West Virginia | Brad Carroll 42-yard field goal | West Virginia 10–10 | |
| 4 | 08:12 | VT | Mickey Thomas 29-yard field goal | VT 12–10 |
Virginia Tech stunned No. 9 West Virginia with a 12–10 road victory on October 7, 1989, at Mountaineer Field. Redshirt freshman Mickey Thomas kicked four field goals, and the Hokies' defense held the Mountaineers to 10 points and just 3 second-half first downs.
Virginia Tech took an early lead on a Mickey Thomas field goal, but West Virginia answered with a touchdown run to lead 7–6 at halftime. In the third quarter, Thomas gave Tech the lead with another field goal, but West Virginia retaken the lead with a field goal of their own. Thomas hit his fourth field goal late in the game to secure the victory.
Virginia Tech totaled 271 yards of offense, including 156 rushing and 115 passing, and recorded 17 first downs. Ralph Brown led the ground game with 92 yards on 22 carries, while Will Furrer completed 10 of 19 passes for 115 yards. Myron Richardson caught 4 passes for 48 yards, and Jeff Roberts added 3 receptions for 41 yards.
Defensively, the Hokies recorded three sacks and forced one turnover. Jock Jones led the team with 11 tackles and a sack, while Scott Hill added 9 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitch Dove intercepted a pass in the third quarter, and Al Chamblee contributed a tackle for loss.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 2 kickoffs for 44 yards and 2 punts for 18 yards.Thomas converted all four field goal attempts.[20]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • No. 19 Florida State | 7 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 41 |
| Virginia Tech | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
- Date: October 14
- Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
- Game start: 12:10 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:10
- Game attendance: 41,832
- Game weather: Sunny, 70 °F (21 °C), Winds NW 3 mph (4.8 km/h)
| 1 | 13:21 | Florida State | Dexter Carter 14-yard pass from Peter Tom Willis (Richie Andrews kick) | Florida State 7–0 |
| 2 | 11:10 | Florida State | Richie Andrews 23-yard field goal | Florida State 10–0 |
| 06:05 | Florida State | Peter Tom Willis 1-yard rush (Richie Andrews kick) | Florida State 17–0 | |
| 00:10 | Florida State | Ronald Lewis 10-yard pass from Peter Tom Willis (Richie Andrews kick) | Florida State 24–0 | |
| 3 | 07:18 | Florida State | Amp Lee 67-yard pass from Peter Tom Willis (Richie Andrews kick) | Florida State 31–0 |
| 03:38 | Florida State | Richie Andrews 32-yard field goal | Florida State 34–0 | |
| 4 | 12:09 | Florida State | Casey Weldon 13-yard pass to Terry Anthony (Bill Mason kick) | Florida State 41–0 |
| 06:04 | VT | Phil Bryant 1-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | Florida State 41–7 | |
Virginia Tech suffered its worst loss of the season in a 41–7 defeat to No. 19 Florida State on October 14, 1989, at Lane Stadium. The Seminoles scored on six of their first eight possessions and held the Hokies scoreless until the final quarter.
Florida State scored on four of their first five possessions to build a 24–0 halftime lead on touchdown passes from Peter Tom Willis to Dexter Carter and Ronald Lewis, a Willis touchdown run, and a Richie Andrews field goal. The Seminoles added a third-quarter touchdown pass to Amp Lee and another field goal. Virginia Tech's only score came on a fourth-quarter touchdown run by Phil Bryant.
Florida State outgained Virginia Tech 478 to 195 and recorded 26 first downs to Tech's 11. The Hokies managed just 59 rushing yards and committed two turnovers. Will Furrer completed 10 of 21 passes for 136 yards and an interception, while Ralph Brown rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries. Myron Richardson caught 4 passes for 62 yards.
Defensively, Jock Jones led the Hokies with 11 tackles and a sack, while Scott Hill added 9 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitch Dove broke up two passes, and Al Chamblee recorded a tackle for loss.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 3 kickoffs for 72 yards and 2 punts for 18 yards. Chris Baucia averaged 37.5 yards on 6 punts, and Mickey Thomas converted the extra point.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| • East Carolina | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
- Date: October 20
- Location: Ficklen Memorial Stadium, Greenville, NC
- Game start: 7:30 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:05
- Game attendance: 31,000
- Game weather: Clear, 63 °F (17 °C), Winds NE 5 mph (8.0 km/h)
| 1 | 06:20 | East Carolina | Junior Smith 2-yard rush (Robb Imperato kick) | East Carolina 7–0 |
| 2 | 08:45 | VT | Ralph Brown 1-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 04:12 | VT | Mickey Thomas 32-yard field goal | VT 10–7 | |
| 4 | 09:14 | East Carolina | Dion Johnson 5-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Robb Imperato kick) | East Carolina 14–10 |
Virginia Tech fell 14–10 to East Carolina on October 20, 1989, at Ficklen Memorial Stadium. The Hokies led 10–7 entering the fourth quarter but surrendered a late touchdown and failed to score on their final possession.
East Carolina opened the scoring with a first-quarter touchdown run. Virginia Tech responded with a second-quarter touchdown run and field goal to take a 10–7 halftime lead. After a scoreless third quarter, East Carolina regained the lead with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Jeff Blake to Dion Johnson.
Virginia Tech totaled 278 yards of offense, including 162 rushing and 116 passing, and recorded 16 first downs. Brown led the ground game with 78 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Will Furrer completed 10 of 19 passes for 116 yards. Myron Richardson caught 4 passes for 54 yards, and Jeff Roberts added 3 receptions for 38 yards.
Defensively, the Hokies recorded two sacks and forced one turnover. Jock Jones led the team with 11 tackles and a sack, while Scott Hill added 9 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitch Dove broke up two passes, and Al Chamblee recovered a fumble.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 3 kickoffs for 72 yards and 2 punts for 20 yards.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| • Virginia Tech | 10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
- Date: October 28
- Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:00
- Game attendance: 33,100
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 66 °F (19 °C), Winds W 7 mph (11 km/h)
| 1 | 09:42 | VT | Tony Kennedy 1-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 7–0 |
| 2 | 06:15 | VT | Mickey Thomas 27-yard field goal | VT 10–0 |
| 03:28 | VT | Vaughn Hebron 2-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 17–0 | |
| 01:45 | VT | Mickey Thomas 32-yard field goal | VT 20–0 | |
| 00:32 | Tulane | Michael Pierce 5-yard pass from Terrence Jones (Todd Wiggins kick) | VT 20–7 | |
| 3 | 07:15 | VT | Tony Kennedy 3-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 27–7 |
| 4 | 08:45 | VT | Mickey Thomas 29-yard field goal | VT 30–7 |
| 01:23 | Tulane | Terrence Jones 1-yard rush (two-point conversion failed) | VT 30–13 | |
Virginia Tech bounced back from consecutive losses with a 30–13 win over Tulane on October 28, 1989, at Lane Stadium. The Hokies rushed for 246 yards, forced two turnovers, and scored on five of their first six possessions.
Virginia Tech scored on five of their first six possessions to build a 20–7 halftime lead on touchdown runs by Tony Kennedy and Vaughn Hebron, plus two Mickey Thomas field goals. Kennedy added his second touchdown run in the third quarter, and Thomas added another field goal in the fourth. Tulane managed a late touchdown but failed on the two-point conversion.
Virginia Tech totaled 387 yards of offense, including 246 rushing and 141 passing, and recorded 21 first downs. Hebron led the ground game with 102 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Kennedy added 78 yards and two scores on 15 attempts. Will Furrer completed 12 of 20 passes for 141 yards, and Myron Richardson caught 5 passes for 64 yards.
Defensively, the Hokies recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers. Jock Jones led the team with 10 tackles and a sack, while Scott Hill added 9 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitch Dove intercepted a pass in the third quarter, and Al Chamblee recovered a fumble.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 3 kickoffs for 68 yards and 2 punts for 22 yards. Chris Baucia averaged 38.5 yards on 4 punts, and Thomas converted all three field goal attempts and three extra points.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Virginia Tech | 7 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
| Vanderbilt | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
- Date: November 4
- Location: Dudley Field, Nashville, TN
- Game start: 2:00 p.m. CST
- Elapsed time: 3:10
- Game attendance: 31,200
- Game weather: Sunny, 68 °F (20 °C), Winds S 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
| 1 | 10:12 | Vanderbilt | Carl Woods 3-yard rush (Greg Lohnas kick) | Vanderbilt 7–0 |
| 05:45 | VT | Tony Kennedy 1-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | Tied 7–7 | |
| 2 | 08:30 | Vanderbilt | Greg Lohnas 42-yard field goal | Vanderbilt 10–7 |
| 01:18 | Vanderbilt | Boo Mitchell 5-yard pass from Eric Jones (Greg Lohnas kick) | Vanderbilt 17–7 | |
| 00:45 | VT | Mickey Thomas 29-yard field goal | Vanderbilt 17–10 | |
| 3 | 07:42 | VT | Tony Kennedy 2-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | Tied 17–17 |
| 02:18 | VT | Mickey Thomas 31-yard field goal | VT 20–17 | |
| 4 | 06:28 | VT | Myron Richardson 12-yard pass from Will Furrer (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 27–17 |
Virginia Tech rallied from a 17–10 halftime deficit to defeat Vanderbilt by a score of 27–17 on November 4, 1989, at Dudley Field. The Hokies scored 17 unanswered points in the second half and forced two turnovers to secure the win.
Vanderbilt built a 17–10 halftime lead on a Carl Woods touchdown run, an Eric Jones touchdown pass to Boo Mitchell, and two field goals. Virginia Tech responded with 17 unanswered points in the second half — a Tony Kennedy touchdown run and field goal in the third quarter, followed by a Will Furrer touchdown pass to Myron Richardson in the fourth quarter.
Virginia Tech totaled 342 yards of offense, including 201 rushing and 141 passing, and recorded 20 first downs. Kennedy led the ground game with 92 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 carries, while Vaughn Hebron added 68 yards on 13 attempts. Furrer completed 11 of 19 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, and Richardson caught 5 passes for 64 yards.
Defensively, the Hokies recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers. Jock Jones led the team with 10 tackles and a sack, while Scott Hill added 8 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitch Dove intercepted a pass in the third quarter, and Al Chamblee recovered a fumble.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 3 kickoffs for 70 yards and 2 punts for 18 yards. Chris Baucia averaged 38.0 yards on 4 punts, and Thomas converted both field goal attempts and all three extra points.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | 0 | 0 | 16 | 9 | 25 |
| • No. 18 Virginia | 7 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 32 |
- Date: November 11
- Location: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
- Game start: 1:01 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:52
- Game attendance: 44,300
- Game weather: Excellent, 56 °F (13 °C), Winds S 19 mph (31 km/h)
| 1 | 04:40 | Virginia | Durwin Greggs 4-yard rush (Jake McInerney kick) | Virginia 7–0 |
| 2 | 11:17 | Virginia | Shawn Moore 11-yard rush (Jake McInerney kick) | Virginia 14–0 |
| 03:33 | Virginia | Jake McInerney 27-yard field goal | Virginia 17–0 | |
| 00:46 | Virginia | Terry Kirby 1-yard rush (Jake McInerney kick) | Virginia 24–0 | |
| 00:02 | VT | Rich Fox 1-yard rush (Brian McCall pass) | Virginia 24–8 | |
| 3 | 07:54 | VT | Myron Richardson 8-yard pass from Rodd Wooten (Brian McCall pass) | Virginia 24–16 |
| 04:04 | Virginia | Durwin Greggs 22-yard rush (Derek Dooley pass) | Virginia 32–16 | |
| 01:17 | VT | Marcus Mickel 14-yard rush (Phil Bryant pass) | Virginia 32–25 | |
| 4 | 05:25 | VT | Rich Fox 1-yard rush (Rodd Wooten pass failed) | Virginia 32–31 |
| 04:26 | VT | Mickey Thomas 39-yard field goal | Virginia 32–25 | |
Virginia Tech fell 32–25 to No. 18 Virginia on November 11, 1989, at Scott Stadium. The Hokies rallied from a 25–7 deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but Virginia held on for the win.
Virginia built a 24–0 halftime lead on touchdown runs by Durwin Greggs and Shawn Moore, a Terry Kirby touchdown run, and a Jake McInerney field goal. Virginia Tech responded with a Rich Fox touchdown run just before halftime. In the third quarter, Rodd Wooten replaced injured Cam Young and led a comeback with a touchdown pass to Myron Richardson and two-point conversion. After Virginia answered with a Greggs touchdown run, Tech tied the game on Marcus Mickel's reverse touchdown run and two-point conversion. Virginia Tech took the lead in the fourth quarter on another Fox touchdown run and field goal.
Virginia Tech totaled 275 yards of offense, including 119 rushing and 156 passing. Wooten completed 9 of 16 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Young added 54 yards on 7 completions before exiting. Richardson led all receivers with 72 yards and a score on 5 catches.
Defensively, Tech recorded 105 total tackles and forced one fumble. Bobby Martin led the team with 11 tackles, while Scott Hill added 10 and Anthony Pack recorded a tackle for loss. Kirk Alexander recovered a fumble, and Mitch Dove broke up two passes.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 3 kickoffs for 70 yards.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Virginia Tech | 3 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 25 |
| NC State | 7 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
- Date: November 18
- Location: Carter–Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 2:58
- Game attendance: 42,100
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 58 °F (14 °C), Winds NE 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
| 1 | 09:42 | NC State | Tyrone Jackson 3-yard rush (Damon Hartman kick) | NC State 7–0 |
| 05:03 | VT | Mickey Thomas 32-yard field goal | NC State 7–3 | |
| 2 | 06:20 | NC State | Charles Davenport 1-yard rush (Damon Hartman kick) | NC State 14–3 |
| 03:52 | NC State | Damon Hartman 35-yard field goal | NC State 17–3 | |
| 02:08 | VT | Tony Kennedy 1-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | NC State 17–10 | |
| 00:45 | VT | Mickey Thomas 29-yard field goal | NC State 17–13 | |
| 3 | 08:01 | VT | Mickey Thomas 34-yard field goal | NC State 17–16 |
| 4 | 10:10 | VT | Tony Kennedy 2-yard rush (Mickey Thomas kick) | VT 23–17 |
| 01:04 | NC State | Gary Downs 5-yard pass from Charles Davenport (two-point conversion failed) | VT 23–23 | |
| 00:32 | VT | Mickey Thomas 27-yard field goal | VT 25–23 | |
Virginia Tech closed its season with a 25–23 win over NC State on November 18, 1989, at Carter–Finley Stadium. The Hokies trailed 17–7 in the second quarter but rallied with three field goals and a fourth-quarter touchdown to secure the victory.
NC State took an early 7–3 lead on a Tyrone Jackson touchdown run and extended it to 17–6 at halftime on a Charles Davenport touchdown run and field goal. Virginia Tech answered with a Tony Kennedy touchdown run and Mickey Thomas field goal. In the third quarter, Thomas added another field goal to cut the deficit to 17–16. In the fourth quarter, Kennedy scored his second touchdown and Thomas added a field goal to give Tech a 25–17 lead. NC State added a late touchdown but missed the two-point conversion.
Virginia Tech totaled 312 yards of offense, including 178 rushing and 134 passing, and recorded 19 first downs. Kennedy led the ground game with 84 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries, while Will Furrer completed 11 of 20 passes for 134 yards. Myron Richardson caught 5 passes for 72 yards, and Jeff Roberts added 3 receptions for 38 yards.
Defensively, the Hokies recorded two sacks and forced one turnover. Jock Jones led the team with 11 tackles and a sack, while Scott Hill added 9 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mitch Dove intercepted a pass in the third quarter, and Al Chamblee contributed a tackle for loss.
On special teams, Marcus Mickel returned 3 kickoffs for 70 yards and 2 punts for 18 yards.
References
edit- 1 2 "1989 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Beamer's heart procedure sidelines him for Tulane game". The Roanoke Times. October 28, 1989.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "1989 Virginia Tech Hokies Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Independence Bowl picks Oregon and Tulsa". Shreveport Journal. December 4, 1989.
- ↑ "1989–90 NCAA football bowl games". Wikipedia. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Little goes right for Akron in opening loss". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 3, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "South Carolina tied as Va. Tech rallies". The Charlotte Observer. September 10, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Tigers use defense, lightning bolts to rip Tech". The State. September 17, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Temple falls, 23–0, to Va. Tech". The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 24, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Virginia Tech gets a giant kick out of Thomas' 4 FGs". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 8, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Seminoles hand VPI crushing setback". Winston-Salem Journal. October 15, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "E. Carolina surprises Hokies". Daily Press. October 22, 1989. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Defense lifts Hokies past Tulane, 30–13". Kingsport Times-News. October 29, 1989. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Tech a leg up on Vanderbilt". The Roanoke Times & World Times. November 5, 1989. Retrieved November 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Cavs win state brawl 32–25". Daily Press. November 12, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Virginia Tech shocks slumping N.C. State 25–23". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. November 19, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "1989 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Little goes right for Akron in opening loss". Akron Beacon Journal. September 3, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "South Carolina Ties Va. Tech in Last Minute". The Washington Post. September 10, 1989. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ↑ "Oct. 7, 1989 – Tech 'D' gets an 'A'". Inside Hokie Sports. Retrieved November 10, 2025.