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Sirk conversion lifts #23 Duke past Virginia Tech, 45-43, in four OTs

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duke-vt-headerThomas Sirk willed himself across the goal line for a game-winning two-point conversion in the fourth overtime to lift #23 Duke to a wild 45-43 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday in Blacksburg.

Sirk had connected with Erich Schneider on a 25-yard TD to tie the game at 43-43. Virginia Tech (3-5, 1-3 ACC) had scored on its possession in the fourth OT, on a 1-yard run by Travon McMillian, but the Hokies couldn’t convert on their two-point conversion attempt.

The game was tight all the way. Duke (6-1, 3-0 ACC) led 14-10 at the half, and it was 24-16 after a 41-yard field goal by Ross Martin with 11:48 to go in the fourth. Michael Brewer led Virginia Tech on a 12-play, 83-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard TD pass to Bucky Hodges with 2:07 to go.

McMillian ran the two-point try in to tie the game at 24.

Joey Slye was well short on a 67-yard field-goal attempt at the end of regulation.

Slye and Martin traded field goals in the first overtime. Hodges caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Brewer to give Tech a 34-27 lead in the second OT, but Sirk connected with Anthony Nash on a 4-yard TD pass play to tie the game at 34-34.

Then Martin and Ross traded field goals in the third overtime to extend the game.

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