Virginia Tech football: Hokies defeat Maryland 35-26
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Saturday was supposed to be the first true test of the James Franklin era for the Virginia Tech Hokies. It was the first road game of the Franklin era, against a Big Ten foe. How did the Hokies respond? Virginia Tech jumped on the Maryland Terrapins early and never looked back, picking up an impressive 35-26 road win.
The Hokies jumped out to a 13-0 lead, with quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer’s 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Reynolds capping an impressive opening drive. After forcing a punt on Maryland’s first drive, Virginia Tech moved down the field with ease again, but two negative plays left them facing a third-and-goal from the 18-yard line.
No problem, said Grunkemeyer, who ran it in from 18 yards out to make it 13-0. The PAT was no good.
Maryland responded with a touchdown to make it 13-7.
But Grunkemeyer and the Hokies responded to that response with a 49-yard touchdown pass to running back Jeffrey Overton Jr.
After the Terrapins scored with about two minutes left in the first half, Tech put together another impressive drive; this time, Grunkemeyer found tight end Ja’Ricous Hairston for a two-yard touchdown to extend VT’s lead to 27-14.
Virginia Tech fans had concerns about the number of wide-open Maryland receivers in the first half. To open the third quarter, Brent Pry’s defense quickly forced a three-and-out. The offense picked up where they left off, with Overton scoring a touchdown to make it 33-14. The Hokies went for the two-point conversion and were successful, making it 35-14.
That ended the scoring for the Hokies. Maryland scored at the start of the fourth quarter, but inexplicably, head coach Mike Locksley went for it and failed, making it 35-20.
Virginia Tech’s offense failed to get going, largely due to untimely penalties, such as holding, delay of game, and offensive pass interference, opening the door for the Terps to narrow the gap. That’s precisely what happened: Maryland quarterback Malik Washington led another scoring drive, and suddenly it was 35-26. The Terrapins could have kicked the extra point and waited to attempt the two-point conversion, keeping it a one-score game. However, they chose to go for two, and the Hokies stopped them again.
The Hokies clinched the game on offense with a couple of very close first downs —that were reviewed. The reviews confirmed the calls on the field, and that was it.
Grunkemeyer completed 31 of 39 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. He also had that impressive touchdown run. Reynolds had another big day, catching 12 passes — on 12 targets — for 107 yards and a touchdown. Ayden Greene caught four passes for 58 yards, while Overton rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, and also caught three passes for 63 yards and another touchdown. Marcellous Hawkins led Virginia Tech with 16 carries for 75 yards.
The win snapped Virginia Tech’s 15-game road losing streak against out-of-conference Power Four opponents.
Next up for Tech: Boston College. The Hokies open their ACC schedule next week in Chestnut Hill against the Eagles.
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