Bitter: Hokies Pass First Real Test At Maryland With Flying Colors

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

September 20, 2026 62

Virginia Tech finally had something big to celebrate with Saturday's win at Maryland. (Ivan Morozov)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — OK, Hokies, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.

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62 Comments

STEVEWBART September 20, 2026 at 1:51 PM

Great intelligent article, as usual, from Andy. Contrasts nicely with the Bozo announcers from the broadcast.
STEVEWBART September 20, 2026 at 1:50 PM

Great intelligent article, as usual, from Andy. Contrasts nicely with the Bozo announcers from the broadcast.
Spartacusjones September 20, 2026 at 1:36 PM

The scary thing is that these Hokies are still a work in progress. They did well in many phases of the game, but there are still clearly areas needing improvement. I'm okay with that, because for the first time in a while, it seems like we have a coaching staff that can address those issues and make the team even better. The schemes are solid and the players are showing a high level of understanding their toles she responsibilities. The lapses provide learning moments and I have faith that they will receive the attention they need. LGH!
ftsumterhokie September 20, 2026 at 1:25 PM

I'm just glad we are not the "red bandana" game next weekend up in BC. We might actually have a chance....
kpileski September 20, 2026 at 1:23 PM

Grunk and Reynolds are dudes! Go Hokies!
HokieJB September 20, 2026 at 1:09 PM

Andy, you make being a Hokie fun. Dang good writing, even throwing in an eight letter word that few of us can spell. And Yakkety Sax ... priceless! This should be a good season to write about.
turn2296 September 20, 2026 at 11:14 AM

Well-written article, Andy
Austin Gobbler September 20, 2026 at 10:44 AM

Nice way to reference the Yakety Sax song...the only thing better would have been to link it to a Benny Hill video with Yakety Sax. Go Hokies!
Hokie2Architect September 20, 2026 at 9:40 AM

Cram it with crabcakes!
1. watermanmr September 20, 2026 at 2:14 PM
  
  +1
vatechcowpatty September 20, 2026 at 9:11 AM

Hmm....how did Rutgers have an OOC losing streak when they were an independent?
1. Late 80s Hokie September 20, 2026 at 10:12 AM
  
  Obviously because EVERY game was out of conference. But good point.
Chasesfish September 20, 2026 at 8:41 AM

First game in person in a couple of years. QB is a dude with some weapons. He's also getting more in sync with the OL, moving around, getting the ball out quickly, ect. I'm only so worried about the pass defense, I think part of the blown coverage was the intense focus the safeties played on not letting Washington burn them running up the middle. Yes, the blown coverage sucked and needs to be improved, but their QB is fast and the safety was looking at him in case he took off.
1. HokieJB September 20, 2026 at 11:58 AM
  
  There were multiple blown coverages by Tech DBs. And Tech's pass rush is very suspect! But all in all a very good show.
  1. Newt September 20, 2026 at 4:28 PM
    
    I was fine with our defensive line. They completely bottled up the run and limited a very slippery QB. The last thing you want to do is allow such a QB to run crazy.
RustyHokie94 September 20, 2026 at 8:41 AM

OL only gave up 1 sack--WHUH. Both RBs averaged over 4 yards per carry--surprising. Secondary only had 3 PD on 43 pass attempts--noteworthy. It is remarkable what happens when you have an excellent coach and a future NFL QB and TE. HALLELUJAH! Football matters again! GO HOKIES!
Cheesehokie September 20, 2026 at 8:11 AM

I was at the game. Pretty good at atmosphere. Grunkemeyer has been rock solid. Pass D needs work. The Hokies were mentally tough: they came prepared to play and responded well to every hint of adversity.
middletennhokie September 20, 2026 at 8:09 AM

I was really concerned about this game, so glad we were able to do enough to get a solid win. Grunk is the real deal, just hope the O line can stay healthy enough to keep him upright. Great article as usual Andy!
phoenixhokie September 20, 2026 at 7:58 AM

Was it me or was Spencer Tillman just a little wacky in the booth calling this as the color man? Just said some weird s - - - . ‘Great clock management’ when Grunk got a DoG penalty. Whuuuuut? There were others that just left me scratching my head. Play by play guy tho brought legit and appropriate excitement Imo.
1. HOKIERIT September 20, 2026 at 8:12 AM
  
  Those guys were BOTH, over the top Homers. I usually don't care much about all that, but when they actually SCREAMED on that deflection long pass by MD, I'd had more than enough. I get it was a Big10 Network Game, but I guess any "attempt", even half baked, at trying to be the least bit neutral calling a game is now considered passe'
  1. schubee September 20, 2026 at 9:45 AM
    
    I don't think Eric Collins (pbp guy) is a homer at all. Just very excitable & Maryland had some big plays. His long-time broadcast partner (on Charlotte Hornets games) is Dell Curry. Also, some fun trivia: He called Angela Tincher's no-hitter vs. Team USA.
  2. Coach Dailey September 20, 2026 at 12:12 PM
    
    So true. Made me ill
2. PenthouseAlumni September 20, 2026 at 8:50 AM
  
  I thought the announcers were VERY pro Maryland, it was weird
  1. softball1 September 20, 2026 at 9:33 AM
    
    It was on the Big10 Network - FS1
3. DesertHokie September 20, 2026 at 8:51 AM
  
  He had a bunch of dumb comments. He said it’s too bad it wasn’t a B10 game or we could have heard the officials talking through a call (duh the ACC is the league with officiating transparency). He also said something reminded him of George Owell’s “1948” (sic) instead of 1984. Tons of ultra dumb and wrong comments
  1. GilliesBlue September 20, 2026 at 10:47 AM
    
    Yeah I caught both of those. He kept making Xs and Os comments that blew up in his face. On one of the 4th downs where we went for it he started saying why their formation was all wrong for what they were about to do, then they ran a completely different play from what he was thinking and converted. This happened like 5 times, I was loling at it. And yeah the 1948 comment and the thing about B1G games and replay transparency. Was entertaining at least.
  2. tallahasseehokie September 20, 2026 at 10:59 AM
    
    WHITE ON RICE🙄
4. MidloHokie September 20, 2026 at 8:56 AM
  
  I didn't bother with them. Synced Bill and Mike's call. It makes things much more pleasant.
  1. MDFinnigan September 20, 2026 at 2:01 PM
    
    Amen to that-went over to them early in the game
5. JRHokie73 September 20, 2026 at 9:42 AM
  
  When an announcer praises a time out, homerism becomes a bit obvious.
6. BrewThruHokie September 20, 2026 at 10:21 AM
  
  Both announcers were saying odd things and did anyone notice the graphic they put up showing the last three big 10 national champions as Ohio st, Michigan and Oregon, ehhh when did Oregon win a natty I guess I missed that?
  1. TophNWHSU07 September 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM
    
    I’ve never in any way been impressed with the FS1 and FS2 crews. I much prefer ESPN over that whole group of bozos.
  2. tspoon5 September 20, 2026 at 1:09 PM
    
    Yes! Where was Indiana...
7. AlfHokie September 20, 2026 at 12:03 PM
  
  Both announcers were saying bizarre incorrect stuff all night. It was painful to listen to.
8. Slider!22 September 20, 2026 at 2:02 PM
  
  Both were horrible, imho. Tillman was especially clueless talking about the replays. They didn’t even understand the review on the MD touchdown when the guy dove for the pylon. Several statements by both of them were head scratchers.
GoneFishin Hokie September 20, 2026 at 7:23 AM

Yakety Sax... my phone's ringtone
1. HOKIERIT September 20, 2026 at 8:13 AM
  
  I may have to follow suit...I listened to that Boots Randolph rendition twice while reading the article!!
moneal September 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM

Very encouraging. Having an offense is hard to adjust to. He wasn’t wrong about Washington. Dude missed several wide open receivers for TD. And I’m still totally confused about the 2 pt logic. Surely that was a mistake
1. BrewThruHokie September 20, 2026 at 10:18 AM
  
  Yes that was odd and the announcers said they loved the call, i was laughing as it made zero sense at that point in the game. It was like lockesly was pissed Franklin converted one earlier
U2Hokie September 20, 2026 at 6:43 AM

AB nailed it with the Yakety Sax, whose cousin - Likity Split, actually joined us for much of the game last night! Well Done Young Hokies! Well Done!
DGHOKIE September 20, 2026 at 5:17 AM

No, not an “A” not even an “A-“. A solid “B”, maybe a “B+”. At least 3 coverage errors. I mean receivers open more than a 7-Eleven. At least 2 times open receivers that were overthrown. Too many penalties. No QB pressure, none
1. Coattail Hokie September 20, 2026 at 6:18 AM
  
  I think you are confused, this is a Virginia Tech site. The "Turtle Lounge", for which this post was obviously written is at https://terrapintimes.com/forums/1
  1. DGHOKIE September 20, 2026 at 6:36 AM
    
    Are you talking to me? I’m a VT grad, two of my children and 3 of my ex-wives are also. I can make an honest assessment and don’t need your 💩
    1. U2Hokie September 20, 2026 at 6:46 AM
      
      Got to ask - how many ex-wives do you have? Hav a great Sunday!
    2. Tyhifam September 20, 2026 at 7:32 AM
      
      Wow, I only have one ex wife that’s a Hokie!🤷‍♂️
    3. USAFhokie September 20, 2026 at 8:15 AM
      
      You win the ex-wives competition hands down .. congratulations!
      1. U2Hokie September 20, 2026 at 9:29 AM
        
        I wonder who paid who to leave?
    4. USAFhokie September 20, 2026 at 8:18 AM
      
      Regret to confess I still have my original wife .. 55 years .. clearly missed the text about “mo’ wives, mo’ better”
    5. MAHist87 September 21, 2026 at 11:52 AM
      
      Call Big Lou!
  2. DADEC52 September 20, 2026 at 9:21 AM
    
    Agreed, but the friends of Eeyore get to post too!
  3. govt86 September 20, 2026 at 10:20 AM
    
    For you PAA who dis one of your own who’s RAA . Tell us which of the observations made were not factual? Perhaps receivers open all the time was exaggerated. It’s fine to have a moment, but you think Franklin’s ignoring the O line or pass defense? Maybe the grade was harsh seen through beer goggles but the observations were real. The ad hominem attacks were not Hokie material.
  4. HokieJB September 20, 2026 at 12:24 PM
    
    DGHokie, is Coattail Hokie not allowed to post what he saw? Others saw the same thing, including a 2nd half that MD won 12-8. We are all very happy, but not blind.
2. USAFhokie September 20, 2026 at 8:13 AM
  
  bah humbug!
3. VTBuck20 September 20, 2026 at 8:25 AM
  
  Those are legit concerns. I have serious questions about the pass defense. Too many blown coverages, Clarke's poor technique on the end zone PI (mirroring similar concerns from the ODU game), and the almost complete absence of an effective pass rush, despite all the love given to the DL over the last two weeks. We could easily have lost this game had Washington not missed several open receivers.
  1. JC in FC September 20, 2026 at 9:22 AM
    
    Legitimate concerns but playing a night game on the road against a very talented offense and coming away with the win was very impressive. I will take that after being in the desert for many years. A few of the misses by Washington were when he had to roll out making the throws much more difficult. The poise of our offense finishing the first half and opening the second half was very impressive. Grunk's accuracy is off the charts. We are not an elite team yet but let's enjoy the improvement. Also, noticed the team sideline was very engaged throughout the game. A good sign for things to come.
    1. govt86 September 20, 2026 at 10:21 AM
      
      This was Hokie material. Thanks.
4. HokieJB September 20, 2026 at 12:20 PM
  
  Totally agree with you. You saw what I saw.
SarahVTHokie24 September 20, 2026 at 4:43 AM

LMAO..Yakety Sax...it's funny because it's true....
cnvt09 September 20, 2026 at 4:16 AM

Was that opening line a Django quote? I'm pretty sure it was. 😂
1. SarahVTHokie24 September 20, 2026 at 4:44 AM
  
  Great movie
2. VTAtlantaHokie September 20, 2026 at 5:16 AM
  
  Andy dropping Easter Egg Gems at the opening and closing of this one....pretty sure that was an adapted line from Dave Chappelle show at the end . Appreciate the nightcap AB.
walewis23 September 20, 2026 at 2:46 AM

#LGH❗

Bitter: Hokies Pass First Real Test At Maryland With Flying Colors

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