Quick kicks

QUICK KICKS Score: No.22 Virginia Tech 16, East Carolina 3 For starters: The Hokies continued a troubling trend to start the game. They got into East Carolina territory on three of their first four drives and came away with two field goals. They finally broke through on their sixth drive, marching 79 yards in 12 plays and 5:27 for a touchdown. Turning point: It had to be that 79-yard touchdown drive, from which the Pirates were never able to come back. Of course, Tech's defense helped by holding them to 95 yards in the second half. Star of the game: Ryan Williams. Virginia Tech's redshirt freshman tailback bounced back from a fumble that helped North Carolina win last week by running for a season-best 179 yards. Big picture: The Hokies still can win 10 games for the sixth consecutive season if they win their final three regular-season games and their bowl game. Go figure: 2 -- Number of Virginia Tech redshirt freshmen who made their first career starts last night. Center Michael Via started in place of Beau Warren (sprained left knee). Linebacker Lyndell Gibson started in place of Jake Johnson, who had been ineffective. Next: The Hokies return to ACC action when they play next Saturday at Maryland (1-3 ACC, 2-6). The game will begin at 1 p.m. and air on ESPN360.com. The Terrapins have lost three consecutive heading into tomorrow's 1 p.m. game at North Carolina State.

Virginia Tech ------------------------- 6 7 0 3 -- 16

VT -- FG Waldron 41, 8:59. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:37. Key play: The score was set up by a 33-yard punt return to the East Carolina 31 by Jayron Hosley.

VT -- FG Waldron 22, :51. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:03. Key play: On second and 13 from the ECU 32, QB Tyrod Taylor threw to WR Jarrett Boykin for a 23-yard gain to the 9.

VT -- Taylor 13 run (Waldron kick) 2:06. Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 5:27. Key play: On third and 8 at the ECU 38, Taylor threw to WR Danny Coale for a 14-yard gain.

ECU -- FG Hartmann 24, 0:00. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 2:06. Key play: On second and 3 at the Virginia Tech 32, QB Patrick Pinkney threw to WR Alex Taylor, who juggled the ball while on his knees, then caught it as he fell to the ground for a 13-yard gain.

VT -- FG Waldron 31, 1:13. Drive: 4 plays, minus-2 yards, 1:06. Key play: Hokies defensive back Rashad Carmichael picked off a pass bobbled by ECU's Dominique Lindsey at the Pirates' 13.

A--43,569.

ECU

14

10

8-46.5

31-110

167

16-35-1

2-2

8-79

25:03

Virginia Tech (45-242) , R.Williams 26-179, T.Taylor 11-61, Oglesby 6-13, Team 1-(minus 3), Roberts 1-(minus 8). East Carolina (31-110) , Lindsay 13-69, G.Ruffin 3-13, Harris 5-10, Freeney 1-9, Jackson 2-7, Pinkney 6-2, Jordan 1-0.

Virginia Tech (17-30-0-137) , T.Taylor 17-30-0-137. East Carolina (16-35-1-167) , Pinkney 16-33-1-167, Jordan 0-2-0-0.

Virginia Tech , Coale 6-60, Boykin 3-17, R.Williams 3-9, Roberts 2-31, Boyce 2-11, Davis 1-9. East Caro lina , Taylor 5-60, Freeney 4-50, Harris 3-45, Jenkins 1-6, Gidrey 1-3, Kass 1-3, Lindsay 1-0.

Virginia Tech: Grimm 12, Brown 6, Gibson 6, Rivers 6, Morgan 5, Carmichael 4, Worilds 4, Virgil 3, Porch 3, Tweedy 3, Reidy 3, Taylor 3, Friday 2, Drager 2, Chancellor, Hopkins, Luckett, Graves, Thompson, Taylor. East Carolina: Eskridge 11, Chambliss 10, Davis 9, Mattocks 8, Ross 7, Joseph 7, Neal 6, Lineback 6, Simmons 5, Johnson 5, Robinson 4, Brooks 3. Smith 3, Powell 3, Dodge, Blacknall, Wilson, Spence, Smith.

Virginia Tech: Grimm. East Car olina: Chambliss.

Virginia Tech: Carmichael.

Virginia Tech: Grimm, Gibson.