Oct 24, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Thomas Sirk (1) scores the game-winning two point conversion as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Luther Maddy (92) defends in quadruple overtime at Lane Stadium. The Blue Devils won 45-43 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Quarterback Thomas Sirk passed for 270 yards and four touchdowns, and added a team-high 109 rushing yards in No. 23 Duke’s 45-43 quadruple-overtime victory over Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium on Saturday.
Sirk scored the game-winning points on a two-point conversion run. That play came after his 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Erich Schneider in the first four-overtime game in ACC history.
Duke wide receiver Max McCaffery had six catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
In his first start since sustaining a broken collarbone in the season-opener, Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Travon McMillian rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries for the Hokies. Tight end Bucky Hodges caught all three of Brewer’s touchdown passes. He had five receptions for 101 yards.
Duke (6-1) improved to 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since 1994 and only the fifth time in school history.
Virginia Tech (3-5, 1-3) rallied to tie the game late in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brewer to Hodges and a two-point conversion run by McMillian.
Brewer completed the touchdown pass while under duress. Hodges caught the high-lofting throw in the end zone while a flag was being thrown against Duke for pass interference.
The Blue Devils were called for pass interference on Virginia Tech’s first two two-point attempts. McMillian converted the third try with a short run up the middle.
Duke drove into field goal range but Ross Martin’s 46-yard field goal attempt bounced off the right upright with 1:04 remaining.
Duke led 21-10 after Shaun Wilson’s 58-yard third quarter touchdown run.
Wilson got to the edge and cut upfield. He juked one defender and made freshman cornerback Terrell Edmunds miss near the 20-yard line before running the rest of the way untouched.
The Hokies cut the deficit to 21-16 with a 20-play, 95-yard drive that burned 9:46 of the clock. McMillian took a direct snap and scored on a two-yard run with 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Tech made the questionable decision to go for two, and backup quarterback Brenden Motley couldn’t threw incomplete on the conversion attempt.
Blue Devils kicker Ross Martin converted a 41-yard field goal attempt with 11:48 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Duke led 14-10 at halftime.
The Blue Devils scored on their first two possession, capping both with touchdown passes from Sirk to McCaffrey.
Virginia Tech topped off a successful first drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Brewer to tight end Bucky Hodges.
The Hokies added Joey Slye’s 44-yard field goal early in the second quarter to cut the Blue Devils’ lead to 14-10.
Duke had a chance to add to its lead late in the second quarter, but Martin missed a 29-yard field goal wide left with 2:53 remaining before halftime.
NOTES: Virginia Tech’s 9-minute, 46-second third-quarter drive was the longest drive in the 29-year Frank Beamer era. … RB Shaun Wilson’s third-quarter touchdown run was his fourth career rushing touchdown of 50 or more yards. … TE Bucky Hodges’ first-quarter touchdown reception was only the fourth passing touchdown allowed by Duke all season. … K Ross Martin had converted 15 straight field goals before his second-quarter miss. It was his first failed field goal attempt since the Blue Devils’ 17-16 loss to the Hokies last November. … Virginia Tech senior defensive tackle Corey Marshall returned to the field after missing the previous two games because of a hamstring injury. He did not start but entered in the first quarter.
