5. Special teams shined for both teams
Virginia Tech set the tone early in the game through its special teams. The 1st quarter saw devastation for the Cardinals in the form of a blocked punt turned safety as the ball sailed through the back of the end zone. The punting continued to be a strength for the Hokies throughout the rest of the 1st half, pinning the Cardinals deep in their own territory on a couple of occasions. The Hokies were able to dominate in most facets of the game due to their punting game to that point.
The tides turned rather dramatically at the beginning of the second half. The All-American returning talent, Caullin Lacy, once again showed up in full force with a 63-yard punt return, which set up a Louisville touchdown to take the lead. Lacy’s return not only provided the key setup for a crucial touchdown but also lit a major spark for Louisville’s momentum. Louisville seemed to be a completely different team after this, dominating on both sides of the ball and controlling the game.