Virginia Tech opened the James Franklin era with a bang on Saturday night, blowing out VMI 73-3 in Lane Stadium under new LED lights.
It was the Hokies’ largest margin of victory since Oct. 28, 1922, when they beat Catholic 73-0 at Miles Field in Blacksburg.
Tech racked up 348 yards in the first half and led 45-0 at intermission. It had 203 passing yards from Ethan Grunkemeyer, who finished 17-for-20 for 224 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51-yarder to Que’Sean Brown. That was complemented with 145 rushing yards.
The production on the ground was split between Jeffrey Overton and Marcellous Hawkins, who found paydirt five total times.
Overton had nine carries for 104 yards, with scores from 50 and 23 yards, while Hawkins had 12 totes for 69 yards — touchdowns from the 9-,1- and 2-yard lines.
The Tech defense finished with a record 18 tackles for loss against the option-heavy Keydets (0-1), 12 of which came in the first half. (The previous program record, dating back to 1987, was 16.) It also had five sacks on 13 VMI passing attempts.
The Hokies dominated in the third phase, too. They blocked two punts for the first time since 2017 (Pitt).
The first came from Tyson Flowers, who got to Keydets punter Ben Shrewsbury just before Jordan Bass and deflected it. Fellow safety Sheldon Robinson jumped on it at the VMI 9-yard line. One play later, Hawkins walked into the end zone untouched to put Tech up 14-0.
In the second quarter, defensive end Cortez Harris blocked Shrewsbury’s punt into the end zone, which safety Knahlij Harrell fell on for a touchdown to give the Hokies a 45-0 lead.
Tech kept the starters on the field to open the second half, and Grunkemeyer threw his second touchdown pass on a 21-yard wheel route to tight end Luke Reynolds, giving the Hokies a 52-0 cushion.
This Content is Presented by State Farm
Go with a good neighbor! The State Farm® mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.Five different State Farm agents are sponsoring Tech Sideline, providing coverage over six contiguous states: VA, MD, WV, TN, NC, and PA. Click here to see the list and to find your agent today!
Backup quarterback Bryce Baker checked into the game after that, ending Grunkemeyer’s night, and Tech marched down the field in nine plays, with Hawkins’ 2-yard touchdown run capping things off.
Cornerback Thomas Williams intercepted Keydets quarterback JoJo Crump on the following drive, the Hokies’ first turnover of the season. They had just four picks last year and only one from a cornerback (Isaiah Brown-Murray).
A personal foul penalty on Lucas Austin put Tech behind the chains and forced it to punt for the only time on the night, though.
After VMI went three-and-out again, Baker hit a streaking Chanz Wiggins for a 40-yard touchdown strike. It was the first career touchdown pass for Baker and the first collegiate catch for Wiggins.
Tech tacked on another score when, after Baker hit tight end Ja’Ricous Hairston for a 33-yard gain up the sideline, quarterback-turned-wideout A.J. Brand took a direct snap and ran it in from the 1-yard line to make it 73-0. It marked his first career touchdown.
VMI got on the board with 7:45 remaining in the game when kicker Jack Joyce knocked through a career-long 50-yard field goal.
Joyce had another attempt on the next drive, courtesy of a 33-yard pass from Ian Reynolds to Halim Hardnett, but missed from 31 yards.
In all, Tech outgained VMI 619-83. It accounted for 351 passing yards and 268 rushing yards. On the other side, the Keydets had just minus-four rushing yards.
Baker was 10-of-12 for 127 yards and a score on the night. Also, after not having a 100-yard receiver across 12 games last year, Que’Sean Brown posted 109 yards on six receptions.
George Ballance, in his first game as a team captain and wearing Frank Beamer’s legendary No. 25 jersey, led the Hokies in tackles with six.
In the kicking category, John Love tied the school record for most extra points in a single game, converting all 10 attempts.
Tech is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 12, vs. Old Dominion, at noon ET (The CW).
Box Score: Virginia Tech 73, VMI 3
25 Comments