By Jimmy Robertson

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BLACKSBURG – Michael Brewer threw a touchdown pass, and Travon McMillian, Trey Edmunds and J.C. Coleman scored on short runs in leading Team Medal of Honor to a 24-21 victory in Virginia Tech’s Maroon-Orange spring game on a rainy Saturday at Lane Stadium.

The Hokies picked the team names as a way to honor the school’s military tradition.

“We’ve really had a good spring practice,” Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said. “I think our players and coaches have really gotten the most out of it. I like where we are. I like our football team. I think we’ve got a lot of good character guys and a lot of good football players. I like where we are right now and we’ve got to keep going in a positive direction.”

The offenses combined to score on four of five trips in the red zone, the Pylon defense scored a touchdown and the Hokies’ got a touchdown on special teams in one of the more entertaining spring games in recent history.

Greg Stroman scored on an 88-yard punt return for Team Pylon, which grabbed a 7-0 lead. But Team Pylon hurt itself with two first-half turnovers and had punter Mitchell Ludwig tackled at the 17 before he got off a punt. That led to McMillian’s 4-yard touchdown run, which gave Team Medal of Honor a lead it would not relinquish.

Brewer’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Ford gave Team Medal of Honor a 17-7 lead in the second quarter. A poor snap on Team Pylon’s next possession was recovered by Melvin Keihn, and that led to Edmunds’ 3-yard touchdown run to give Team Medal of Honor a 24-7 lead.

Trailing 24-7 at halftime, Team Pylon scored twice in the second half – once on a 36-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Donovan Riley and once on Coleman’s 2-yard run.

Coleman led all rushers with 25 yards on five carries, while Edmunds had 21 yards on three carries.

Tech’s quarterbacks did not go live in this game. Brewer completed 4 of 8 for 60 yards. He did not throw an interception in any of Tech’s three scrimmage nor in the spring game.

“I thought the offense took a step in the right direction,” Brewer said. “We’re not where we need to be or where we want to be, but it’s a step in the right direction. We want to be a team that makes that gradual climb through spring and summer and then hit our peak at the end. Overall, it’s a been a success. We’ve got to continue it this summer.”

The game concluded spring practice for the Hokies. Tech now will spend the summer gearing up for the season opener against defending champion Ohio State – a game that will be played on Labor Day.

2015 SPRING PRACTICE AWARD WINNERS

Paul Torgersen Award (presented to the top newcomers during spring practice)

Offense – Eric Gallo; Defense – Mook Reynolds

President's Award (given to the players who demonstrate the most outstanding leadership during the offseason program and spring workouts)

Offense – Jonathan McLaughlin; Defense – Dadi L’homme Nicolas

Dr. Richard Bullock Award (goes to the players who show the most improvement during spring workouts)

Offense – Michael Brewer; Defense – Vinny Mihota

Frank O. Moseley Award (awarded to the offensive and defensive players who exhibit the most hustle during the offseason and spring workouts)

Offense – Steven Peoples; Defense – Deon Clarke

Coaches Award (goes to the players who had an exceptional spring)

Offense – Isaiah Ford; Defense – Seth Dooley

George Preas Award (presented to the most valuable performers of spring practice)

Offense – Ryan Malleck; Defense – Chuck Clark

Don Williams TEAM UNITED Award (presented to an offensive and defensive player who put the team first during spring workouts)

Offense – J.C. Coleman; Defense – Woody Baron

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