The Virginia Tech Hokies opened their season with a commanding 73-3 victory over the VMI Keydets in Blacksburg, Virginia, a performance that underscored the depth of their backfield and the precision of their quarterback play. Entering the contest as a 55.5-point favorite, the Hokies executed flawlessly on offense, defense and special teams, turning the spread into a testament of their preparation and confidence.
Jeffrey Overton Jr. headlined the rushing attack, recording a career‑high 100 yards on nine carries and punching in two touchdowns, while Marcellous Hawkins added three scores and 69 yards, forming a dynamic duo that overwhelmed VMI’s defense. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, making his first start, completed 17 of 20 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, favoring short to intermediate routes that kept the chains moving.
Coaching Vision and Player Development
Head coach James Franklin praised the team’s collective effort, emphasizing that experience will be vital for redshirt freshman quarterback Bryce Baker as he prepares to assume a larger role later in the season. Franklin’s message centered on relentless effort and the importance of building chemistry early, a philosophy that appears to be resonating with the squad.
With the momentum from the opener, the Hokies face a challenging test against Old Dominion, a matchup that promises to probe the durability of their early‑season surge and the continued evolution of their offensive scheme.