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Maybe you do or maybe you don't believe in destiny. Destiny is a course of events to
happen beyond one's control. The events could lead to stardom or failure but either way, one or the other is bound to happen. Thursday night the Virginia Tech Hokies couldn't stop the destiny of a star in Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan cemented his Heisman Trophy in Blacksburg, VA on national television with an furious late fourth quarter comeback to defeat Virginia Tech 14-10.
The victory over the Hokies happened due to three reasons:the lack of an efficient Hokie offense, the heroics on a big stage of Ryan coupled with the leadership of Eagles head coach Jeff Jagodzinski. How many coaches would have kicked the ball off to the Hokies after scoring that first touchdown hoping to get it back? The answer is 99 out of 100. Jagodzinski took a gamble on the onside kick that made perfect sense and he was rewarded with the victory. He knew Ryan was warming up and the momentum was on their side. With a hot quarterback anything is possible. Sound like destiny?
The key for Ryan and the Boston College Eagles now is to win out their remaining games and vie for a national title but I don't think he needs that to win the Heisman. At this point the only way Ryan can lose sight of the trophy is to somehow lose two games which is not impossible but difficult considering his tear thru college football and his heroic performance Thursday night. Ryan is leading his team despite the fact that he doesn't have a tremendous amount of star power around him.
For all of three and three fourths of a quarter, the Hokies defense dominated, constantly harassing Ryan and getting him out of his rhythm. Ryan passed for only 128 yards in the first three quarters. The Hokies all american defensive end Chris Ellis was having a field day against the Eagles freshman tackle Anthony Costanzo but in the end, it was Ryan's talent, leadership, determination, and ultimately the Hokies lack of a explosive offense that allowed the Eagles to emerge victorious.
Glennon, while having a solid but unspectacular game couldn't get his team the first downs when they needed it. Hokie running back Brendan Ore, had a breakout game with 21 rushes for 97 yards but the offense just couldn't get it done and finish off the Eagles when they had them by the throat.
Against a superstar quarterback of Ryan's caliber that proved to be a mistake. The Hokie defense simply tired down the stretch trying to save them. After receiving the ball deep in its own territory, Ryan reeled off a 92 yard drive capped off with a beautiful pass thrown in a tight window to wide receiver Rich Grunnell.
After recovering the onside kickoff, Ryan drove them down in scoring position and on 3rd down and 20, he bought enough time to heave a pass right into the end zone to a cutting Andre Callendar. Ryan finished with 157 yards and two touchdowns on the last two drives for the Eagles.
Boston College, who should remain No.2, have yet to face Florida State and Miami on the road and Maryland and Clemson at home. The nation will see if Ryan can run the table and lead his team to a BCS bowl. For now at least, it seems that Ryan is a lock for the hardware in December.
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Virginia Tech 