With Lane Stadium sold out for the first time in over a year and a top-10 conference foe in town, the ingredients for a season-opening upset were in place on Friday night in Blacksburg, Va. The Virginia Tech defense put them all together to deliver college football's first banner result.
The Hokies shut down No. 10 North Carolina and Heisman Trophy hopeful Sam Howell, riding a havoc-causing defensive performance to a 17-10 win. Howell was sacked six times and threw three interceptions, as Virginia Tech led wire-to-wire.
Virginia Tech pitched a shutout in the first half, dominating the time of possession by holding the ball for over 20 minutes.