September 18, 2003
Kevin Jones rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries as eighth-ranked Virginia Tech defeated No. 20 Texas A&M, 35-19, in a driving rainstorm spawned by Hurricane Isabel.
Knocked out of a win over James Madison on September 6 due to two sprained wrists, the junior running back helped the Hokies defeat the Aggies for the second straight year.
Last season, Virginia Tech (3-0) ended Texas A&M's 29-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents.
In the rematch, the teams had to deal with wind gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour. By halftime, nearly 1? inches of rain had fallen at Lane Stadium.
In the first half, the contest was well-played despite the conditions, with neither team turning over the ball. Turnovers became a factor in the second half as each team committed two.
Virginia Tech's DeAngelo Hall provided an opening for Texas A&M late in the third quarter, fumbling a punt at his 24-yard line. Defensive back Byron Jones recovered and the Aggies closed within 21-18 in the opening minute of the final period on Reggie McNeal's 15-yard TD pass to former walk-on Tim Van Zant.
But Kevin Jones broke of a 27-yard run on the next play, igniting an 80-yard, six-minute drive for Virginia Tech that quarterback Bryan Randall capped with a 12-yard run.
Texas A&M's first turnover was a backbreaker as Byron Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff, with cornerback Brian McPherson recovering for the Hokies at the 35-yard line.
Virginia Tech put away the contest on Kevin Jones' third TD, an 11-yard burst with 5:33 to go. He also scored on runs of one yard in the first quarter and two yards in the third. The Hokies have won 28 straight games in August and September.