Virginia Tech got exactly what it needed Saturday: a fast start, enough answers when Georgia Tech pushed back, and a 34-24 win that snapped a two-game losing streak and moved the Hokies to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play.
The tone was set immediately. On the third snap of the game, Ethan Grunkemeyer hit Que’Sean Brown on a 60-yard catch-and-run to put Virginia Tech in front 7-0 right away. Georgia Tech had a chance to answer on its first possession, with Trelain Maddox threatening to tie it at 7, but he fumbled before crossing the line and the Hokies took over, with Thomas Williams appearing to force the turnover.
Virginia Tech made that mistake hurt. Grunkemeyer then guided a 7-play, 8-yard march and finished it himself with a 20-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0.
After the Yellow Jackets cut into the lead with a field goal, the Hokies kept pressing. Facing fourth-and-goal, head coach James Franklin stayed aggressive instead of sending John Love out for a kick, and Grunkemeyer delivered with a three-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Ricous Hairson.
Love later added a field goal before halftime, and Virginia Tech went into the break up 24-3.
Then the game flipped in the third quarter. Alberto Mendoza completed a pair of passes before Maddox broke loose untouched for a 42-yard touchdown, trimming the margin to 24-10.
Virginia Tech’s first drive of the second half stalled quickly, with Grunkemeyer sacked on two of the first three plays and the Hokies forced to punt. Mendoza seized the opening, finding Dalen Pinson for a 33-yard score to make it a one-possession game.
Virginia Tech needed a response, and Grunkemeyer provided it. He led another scoring drive that ended with freshman running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. powering through traffic for a 26-yard touchdown run, restoring some breathing room and putting the Hokies back ahead by 14.
Brown kept making plays, too. He ripped off a 63-yard punt return to the red zone later in the game, though Virginia Tech couldn’t turn that field position into a touchdown. Georgia Tech answered with another score, but the Hokies were able to bleed out the clock and finish off the win.
Grunkemeyer finished 15 of 22 for 250 yards and three touchdown passes, while also adding a 20-yard touchdown run. Brown posted six catches for 182 yards and a touchdown and added the key punt return. Overton finished with 85 rushing yards on 14 carries, plus three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
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Virginia Tech Survived A Second Half Swing Fans Wont Ignore
A fast start gave Virginia Tech enough cushion to beat Georgia Tech 34-24, and the Hokies leaned on a big night from QueSean Brown to make sure it held up. Brown piled up a career-high 180 receiving yards, helping fuel an offense that looked sharp early and got a boost from Jeffrey Overtons 26-yard rushing touchdown as the Hokies controlled the opening half.
The second half looked different, though, as Georgia Tech found its rhythm behind quarterback Alberto Mendozas 335 passing yards and two touchdowns. Virginia Techs early lead proved to be the difference, but the way the game swung after halftime is the kind of finish fans are likely to remember, especially with Brown turning in the sort of breakout performance that can change the tone of a season. [Read more 🡒]
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Browns first college touchdown only added to the intrigue, giving the Hokies another glimpse of what he can bring when the ball finds him. Mines now has a tougher call to make as Brown keeps showing maturity and a steady grasp of the playbook, and the bigger question is how quickly that growing role turns into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]