The Virginia Tech Hokies snapped their two-game losing streak on Saturday, defeating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 34-24 to improve to 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in ACC play.
As we’ve seen several times this season, the Hokies jumped out to a fast start. On the third play from scrimmage, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer finds wide receiver Que’Sean Brown for a 60-yard catch-and-run, giving the Hokies an early 7-0 lead.
On Georgia Tech’s first possession, running back Trelain Maddox was on the verge of tying the game at 7, but inexplicably fumbled, giving the Hokies possession. Cornerback Thomas Williams appeared to have caused the fumble.
Back on offense, Grunkemeyer led a 7-play, 8-yard drive, finishing with a 20-yard touchdown run to put the Hokies up 14-0.
After a Yellow Jackets field goal trimmed the lead to 14-3, Virginia Tech responded. After driving down the field, the Hokies faced a fourth-and-goal, and instead of sending kicker John Love in to kick the field goal, head coach James Franklin went for it. Grunkemeyer rewards with a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ja’Ricous Hairson, and it’s 21-3. VT would add a Love field goal before halftime to head into intermission with a 24-3 lead.
The third quarter looked completely different. After a pair of completions from Alberto Mendoza, Maddox goes untouched from 42 yards out to make it 24-10.
On Virginia Tech’s first second-half possession, Grunkemeyer is sacked on two of the first three plays, forcing a punt. Mendoza made them pay, finding Dalen Pinson for a 33-yard touchdown, and suddenly it’s a one-possession game.
Uh oh.
Grunkemeyer did what he does best. He calmed the waters, leading another scoring drive that ended with a spectacular play from freshman running back Jeffrey Overton Jr., who took it 26 yards through traffic to slow down GT’s momentum and put the Hokies back up by 14.
Brown struck again, returning a punt 63 yards to the red zone, but the Hokies couldn’t score a touchdown. The Yellow Jackets responded with another touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as VT’s offense ran the clock out late to snap a frustrating two-game losing streak.
Grunkemeyer completed 15 of 22 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a 20-yard touchdown. Brown caught six passes for 182 yards and a touchdown, and also had the big punt return.
Overton ran for 85 yards on 14 carries and caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown.
A big win for the Hokies, who are on the road next week for a massive game at Clemson.
