Kent State could not contend with its first nationally ranked football opponent of the season, as it lost 23-0 to No. 20 Virginia Tech Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

The Flashes defense kept their team in the game for the first half, surrendering only two field goals to the 31-point favored Hokies.

But Virginia Tech swung the momentum to its side for good after a second half riddled with Kent State penalties and mistakes.

Virginia Tech running back Brandon Ore scored the first touchdown of the game off a 6-yard run with one minute left third quarter. Ore, who came into the game as the nation’s 11th leading rusher, finished the game with 75 yards on 25 rushes.

The Hokies went on score another touchdown when Noland Burchette returned a fumble by Kent State QB Michael Machen from the Kent State 15 yard line

While the Flashes’ defense held their own, the offense could not spark anything, and endured its second shut-out of the season.

Machen finished his first start of the season with 6 completions on 16 attempts, 98 yards and 1 interception.

Eugene Jarvis was the Flashes leading rusher with 62 yards on 21 attempts.

Contact assistant sports editor Sean Ammerman at [email protected].