Virginia Tech football: Hokies get revenge on ODU with 44-21 win

Blacksburg, Virginia - September 5: Virginia Tech's football team, led by head coach James Franklin, won their second game of the season with a convincing 44-21 victory over Old Dominion University. The Hokies started strongly, taking a 17-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a stunning sequence. Virginia Tech defensive end Aycen Stevens sacked Old Dominion quarterback Quinn Henicle, who fumbled.

Linebacker Keon Wylie recovered the loose ball and ran it in from 46 yards out for the touchdown, giving the Hokies an early lead. However, Wylie did not secure the ball, allowing an ODU player to recover it in the end zone. The Hokies capitalized on three first-half turnovers, with quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer being outstanding.

He completed 21 of 27 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, with tight end Luke Reynolds catching two of those TD passes. The Hokies led 34-6 at halftime. Despite a sloppy second half filled with penalties and mistakes, Grunkemeyer completed 31 of 42 passes for 327 yards and added a touchdown on the ground. Tight end Luke Reynolds had an impressive game, catching eight passes for 108 yards and scoring twice.

The Virginia Tech running game struggled without starting center Kyle Altuner, but running backs Marcellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton Jr. combined for 90 rushing yards on 25 carries. The Monarchs did manage to score 15 points in the second half, with a 76-yard touchdown run from Henicle being the highlight. While Old Dominion outgained Virginia Tech in total yards, the Hokies forced three turnovers, including a punt return opportunity for wide receiver Que’Sean Brown.

Virginia Tech began the season 2-0, with the next challenge on the schedule being a road game against the Maryland Terrapins of the Big Ten Conference.