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It wasn't pretty at times, but it was a win, and that's what the Hokies needed after two consecutive losses ended their championship dreams.

Tailback Ryan Williams and the defense each posted bounce-back efforts Nov. 5 in Virginia Tech's 16-3 non-conference win at East Carolina.

Purging the bitter memory of his game-blowing fumble Oct. 29 against North Carolina, Williams rushed for a career-high 179 yards on 26 carries, helping the Hokies control the ball for nearly 35 minutes.

Defensively, Tech improved its play against the run and forced the Pirates into more predictable passing situations. The result: 277 total yards and three turnovers.

"Make sure you put in your stories that this team was relentless," coach Frank Beamer said to the media.

It wasn't always efficient. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor fumbled inside the 1-yard line and out of the end zone, costing the Hokies a second-quarter touchdown. That was one of three drives that saw Tech penetrate East Carolina territory and come up with nothing.

But unlike the previous two games, when those foibles came back to haunt, they only served to keep the game closer.

The relief in the eyes of Beamer and his players following the game was palpable.

"We needed this, no matter how it happened," cornerback Rashad Carmichael said.

--Virginia Tech continued one of the season's strangest streaks, losing the coin flip for the ninth consecutive game. Opponents have deferred every time, meaning the Hokies have started every game with the ball.

--P Brent Bowden kept East Carolina bottled up all night, averaging 44.9 yards on seven boots and forcing the Pirates to start from the 20 or further back after five of his kicks.

--CB Rashad Carmichael intercepted his fifth pass in the last seven games, pilfering Patrick Pinkney late in the fourth quarter to set up Matt Waldron's third field goal of the night.

GAME BALL GOES TO: TB Ryan Williams -- The redshirt freshman bounced back from a costly fumble at the end of the North Carolina game Oct. 29, rushing for a career-high 179 yards on 26 attempts.

KEEP AN EYE ON: C Michael Via -- In his first career start, Via performed very well, making good line calls and helping the unit allow just one sack of QB Tyrod Taylor.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I didn't care how we won, whether it was 2-0 or 3-2. We had to win this game." -- QB Tyrod Taylor, after Virginia Tech's 16-3 victory at East Carolina.

LOOKING GOOD: The defense bounced back from two subpar performances by limiting East Carolina to a second-quarter field goal. The Hokies allowed just 277 total yards and forced three key turnovers.

On offense, the Hokies controlled the ball for nearly 35 minutes, as TB Ryan Williams enjoyed a career-best game. The offensive line won the scrimmage battle more often than not against a veteran defensive front.

Special teams play was solid across the board. Kick coverage was good, PK Matt Waldron nailed three critical field goals, and P Brent Bowden continued his fine work.

STILL NEEDS WORK: Virginia Tech's offense isn't quite as efficient these days as it was earlier in the season. It failed to generate points off three drives into Pirates territory, the third consecutive game that's happened.

While the defense did a better job on third down, it wasn't a shutdown unit against the run, allowing 110 yards on 31 attempts. It again was pushed around at times, although it kept the big runs in check.

Kickoff specialist Justin Myer isn't driving the ball quite as deep lately. While he did have a touchback, most of his kicks were fielded at the 10- or 15-yard line, which could come back to hurt this occasionally vulnerable defense.

ROSTER REPORT:

--C Beau Warren (knee) sat out the game with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, and his status for this week's ACC contest at Maryland wasn't known.

--DT John Graves (ankle) didn't start but played a little in a backup role to Demetrius Taylor. Graves might benefit from the few extra days prior to the game at Maryland.

--CB Stephan Virgil (knee) started the game and played its entirety. Virgil likely won't be 100 percent for the rest of the year but maintains enough quickness to play at a high level.

Previous Report: 11/03/2009