Cal’s touchdown with 18 seconds left denies Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech’s late rushing touchdown briefly put the Hokies ahead Saturday. Cal answered with 18 seconds remaining, then stopped Tech’s final pass to win 25–20.

Ashten Emory scored the Golden Bears’ winning touchdown after Ethan Grunkemeyer’s rushing score had given Virginia Tech a 20–19 lead. The Hokies still reached Cal’s seven-yard line on their final opportunity, but a pass intended for Luke Reynolds was broken up. The game ended with Tech close enough to threaten another change of lead but without the completion it needed.

Grunkemeyer completed 21 of 31 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown. Ayden Greene caught a 30-yard touchdown pass, while Marcellous Hawkins Jr. scored on a three-yard run. Those contributions gave Tech scoring through the air and on the ground before the last exchanges decided the afternoon.

Tech had built its first lead after a scoreless opening quarter. Greene’s 30-yard touchdown came on a drive that also included another 30-yard reception by the receiver. After Cal tied the score, the Hokies answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive finished by Hawkins. They led 14–10 at halftime.

A Cal field goal was the third quarter’s only score, narrowing Tech’s lead to 14–13. The Golden Bears then took control through a 14-play, 79-yard drive that used 7:07 and put them ahead 19–14 after an unsuccessful two-point attempt. Tech’s nine-play response ended with Grunkemeyer’s rushing touchdown, setting up the final reversal.

Keon Wylie led the Hokies’ defense with a career-high nine tackles, including one tackle for loss, and added a pass breakup. Kemari Copeland recorded Tech’s lone sack. The defense still needed one more late stop after the offense restored the lead, but Emory’s touchdown denied it.

Virginia Tech returns to Lane Stadium to face Georgia Tech on October 17 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

The Hokies fell to 4–2 overall and 1–2 in ACC play with their second consecutive loss.