Virginia Tech football: Hokies defeat VMI 73-3 in James Franklin’s debut
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The James Franklin era couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies kicked off a new era Saturday night under the bright (and shiny new LED) lights, defeating the VMI Keydets 73-3 at Lane Stadium.
The Hokies got off to a fast start as sophomore running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. scored from 50 yards out on the first drive to give Tech an early 7-0 lead. As it turns out, that would just be the start of the run for Virginia Tech’s offense, specifically the running game.
Senior running back Marcellous Hawkins joined the fun, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown to make it 14-0. What set up Hawkins’ touchdown run? A little bit of Beamerball, as safety Tyson Flowers blocked a punt.
Overton would again find the end zone on VT’s next possession, this time from 23 yards out. Suddenly, it was 21-0 Tech. After yet another defensive stop, the Hokies drove it in again, with Hawkins scoring from one yard out to make it 28-0.
The Hokies proved human after all, as on their fifth drive, had to settle for a John Love field goal, making it 31-0.
Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was outstanding in the first, just barely missing two deep shots to wide receiver Que’Sean Brown. However, the two would connect in the second quarter when Grunkemeyer found Brown and let him do the rest, and he scored from 51 yards out to make it 38-0.
Beamerball made another appearance, when defensive end Cortez Harris blocked a punt and defensive back Knahlij Harrell chased it down, landing on it in the end zone for a 45-0 lead.
Grunkemeyer and the starters would come out for the first series in the second half. Grunkemeyer found tight end Luke Reynolds for a 21-yard touchdown to make it a 52-0 game.
The Hokies would score three more touchdowns, with redshirt freshman quarterbck Bryce Baker came off the bench and also played well. He threw his first career touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Chanz Wiggins. It was also the first touchdown of his career.
Grunkemeyer would finish the game completing 17 of 20 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Baker completed 10 of his 12 attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown. Overton paced Virginia Tech’s ground game, rushing for 104 yards on just 9 attempts and scoring two touchdowns. Hawkins was outstanding, too, rushing for 69 yards and three touchdowns. As a team, VT rushed for 268 yards and five touchdowns.
It was a great night in Blacksburg. You must keep it in perspective, though. With all due respect to VMI, they were not a worthy adversary for the Hokies. But a win under the lights in Blacksburg is always reason to celebrate.
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