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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (Ticker) -- The battle for the Commonwealth Cup turned into a defensive clinic. Seventh-ranked Virginia Tech contained Thomas Jones, the nation's fifth-leading rusher, while freshman Michael Vick threw for 222 yards and a touchdown in a 31-7 rout of No. 24 Virginia. The Cavaliers (3-2) were held to 51 yards on the ground. Jones carried 22 times for 82 yards but Virginia Tech, which is first in the nation in total defense, sacked Dan Ellis six times. The junior completed 16-of-26 passes for 162 yards. Vick attempted only nine passes but completed seven of them, including a perfectly thrown 60-yard touchdown pass to Andre Davis to open the scoring 5:45 into the first quarter. Vick also gained 40 yards on 10 carries for the Hokies (4-0), who avenged last season's 36-32 loss in Blacksburg, a game in which they blew a 22-point lead in the second half. After neither team could gain much ground on its first possession of the night, a 15-yard punt return by wide receiver Ricky Hall set up Vick's 60-yard strike down the right sideline to a streaking Davis. Davis caught just two passes but totaling 110 yards. The Cavaliers went three-and-out on their next two possessions and Shyrone Stith capped a four play, 39-yard drive by barrelling his way for a one-yard score with 2:21 left in the first quarter. Stith carried 23 times for 113 of Virginia Tech's 202 rushing yards. The Hokies' offense was uncharacteristically balanced and kept the Cavaliers guessing throughout the night. Virginia appeared to climb back in the game in the opening moments of the second quarter as Ellis hit tight end Billy Baber for a one-yard score. But Stith ran for two touchdowns totaling three yards in a 6:23 span later in the period. Shayne Graham's 48-yard field goal almost 10 minutes into the second half completed the scoring. Demetrius Dotson caught four passes for 70 yards for Virginia, which totaled a meager 213 yards of offense. Virginia Tech snapped a two-game losing skid to the Cavaliers and holds a 40-36-5 advantantage in the all-time series.
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