Hawkins, Overton carry Virginia Tech over VMI 73-3 in Franklin debut

Marcellous Hawkins Jr. and Jeffrey Overton Jr. powered Virginia Tech to a 73-3 victory over VMI in their first game under head coach James Franklin. The game marked the debut of Franklin, who had recently been hired by Virginia Tech, replacing his former team Penn State.

Hawkins rushed for three touchdowns, while Overton contributed 108 yards and two scores. The Hokies' offense scored on their first six possessions and only punted once throughout the game. VMI's defense was unable to stop the Hokies, limiting them to only 83 total yards.

The special teams also played a crucial role, blocking two punts and recovering one for a touchdown. Franklin's hiring came after a series of losing seasons for Virginia Tech, and he brought in 27 transfers to help rebuild the program. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who played for Penn State the season before, had a strong debut with 224 yards and two touchdowns.

Overton, the key player for the Hokies, scored on runs of 50 and 23 yards, further cementing his role as a crucial component of the team's success. Both coaches, Franklin and VMI's Ashley Ingram, will face challenges in their respective roles as the season continues.