Home Virginia Tech outlasts UNC in 6 OTs, 43-41: Longest game in ACC history
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Virginia Tech outlasts UNC in 6 OTs, 43-41: Longest game in ACC history

Chris Graham

Virginia TechVirginia Tech outlasted North Carolina in the longest game in ACC Football history, getting a two-point run by Quincy Patterson in the sixth overtime to win 43-41.

The game was the first to use the new NCAA overtime rule that reduces the game to alternating two-point tries after the fourth overtime.

Both teams had chances to win before the end of four OTs, but Virginia Tech placekicker Brian Johnson missed on kicks of 41 and 42 yards, and UNC kicker Noah Ruggles missed from 35 and had a 44-yarder blocked.

Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC) rallied to tie the game at 31-31 on a 53-yard Patterson TD run with 4:31 to go in regulation.

Patterson stepped in at quarterback after starter Hendon Hooker went down to injury late in the first half, throwing for 54 yards and a touchdown and running for 122 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

Sam Howell was 26-for-49 for 348 yards and five touchdowns for North Carolina (3-4, 2-2 ACC), which had a narrow 491-490 edge in total offense.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].