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MORGANTOWN, West Virginia (Ticker) -- Prior to the season, there was plenty of talk about how Virginia Tech's defense might be better than the unit that played in the national title game two years ago. Through five games, it sure looks that way. The sixth-ranked Hokies posted their third shutout of the young season, blanking Big East Conference rival West Virginia, 35-0, to improve to 5-0 for the fourth straight year. Virginia Tech (5-0, 2-0 Big East) has allowed only 24 points and Saturday's shutout of the Mountaineers (2-3, 0-2) looked quite similar to the back-to-back pastings of Western Michigan and Rutgers last month. "I thought our defense was exceptional today," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "Offensively, we had our moments but we need to be more consistent. Anytime you come into Morgantown, youg get ready for a battle. I am pleased to come in and get a big win." When the Hokies reached the Sugar Bowl following the 1999 campaign, they allowed 48 points in the opening five games and a total of 116 for the regular season before being outscored by Florida State, 46-29, in New Orleans. Using four rushing touchdowns and a third-quarter interception return for a score by defensive end Jim Davis, the Hokies recorded their fourth straight victory over West Virginia. It is their their longest winning streak in series history. The Mountaineers took five straight from Virginia Tech from 1981-85. "I definitely don't think we played well," Mouintaneers coach Rich Rodriguez said. "We need to make plays. Flat out embarrassing. We never could get anything going." West Virginia managed a total of just 173 yards against the Hokies, who held the ball for over 36 minutes by punding away for 224 yards on the ground. Keith Burnell led the way with 102 yards and a pair of scores on 22 carries. West Virginia native Grant Noel completed 12-of-20 passes for 171 yards for the Hokies, who have won 10 of the last 13 meetings between the schools. "I thought Grant was good," Noel said. "He's a good leader and his head is in the game. I'm glad he's on our side. I think he looked forward to the challenge (of returning to West Virginia to play)." Virginia Tech did all of its scoring in the opening three quarters and coach Frank Beamer was able to rest many of his top players over the final 15 minutes. Eight minutes into the contest, Burnell capped a seven-play drive with a one-year touchdown run that provided the Hokies defense with all it would need. The Mountaineers ran just three plays on the ensuing possession, a drive that was thwarted almost before it began when West Virginia quarterback Brad Lewis was sacked for a nine-yard loss. Andre Davis then returned Mark Fazzolari's punt 53 yards to the Mountaineers' 9. Two players later, Jarrett Ferguson entered the end zone from three yards out, making it 14-0 with just under 4 1/2 minutes to play in the opening quarter. Virginia Tech's third TD drive was also extremely short as it early in the second quarter it took over at the West Virginia 44 following an intercepoted by safety Kevin McAdam. On the next play, Kevin Jones rumbled all the way for the touchdown. Burnell added another TD 7:37 into the second half on a 10-yard scamper and the rout was on. "They're real good. Definitely a top-five team," Rodriguez said. "I'd like to think they're not much better than us. They have a pretty good defense. They're a veteran team and know what they're doing." Lewis was just 9-of-23 for 98 yards and was picked off twice before being pulled in favor of freshman Derek Jones, who was 6-of-15 for 42 yards and was picked off once. Avon Cobourne was held to 31 yards on 18 carries. "We needed a spark," Rodriguez said of his decision to insert Jones. "I told Brad we needed to move the ball. I'm going to watch the film, evaluate it and see how they played and take it from there."
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