Hokies Give James Franklin A Historic Debut over VMI
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech opened the James Franklin era in dominant fashion, routing VMI 73-3 on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Lane Stadium. The final score wasn't just lopsided — it was historic, marking the Hokies' first 70-point outing since 1995.
A Fast Start Set the Tone
Virginia Tech lost the opening coin toss and started its first drive at its own 25-yard line following a touchback, but the Hokies wasted no time finding the end zone. Running back Overton capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a 50-yard touchdown run — the second score of his career and an emphatic way to open his coach's tenure.
The defense followed suit almost immediately. Flowers blocked a VMI punt to force a turnover on downs, setting Virginia Tech up at the 9-yard line. One play later, Hawkins punched it in for the Hokies' second touchdown of the game, needing just nine yards and five seconds to get there.
VMI's offense, meanwhile, struggled to find any footing — a pattern that would define much of its night and echoed the same slow start the Keydets showed in their opener against Idaho State.
The Rout Builds Through the First Half
Overton struck again before the end of the first quarter, capping a seven-play, 56-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown run to push the score to 21-0. VMI was forced to punt again with 1:15 remaining in the quarter, unable to string together a drive that crossed midfield. It was the first time Virginia Tech had scored 21 points in a first quarter against an opponent since a 2019 meeting with Miami, and the Hokies finished the opening period with 199 total yards, 116 of them on the ground.
The second quarter opened with more of the same. Virginia Tech extended its lead to 28-0, and VMI had no answer. A six-play, 72-yard drive ended in another Hawkins touchdown, giving both Hawkins and Overton multiple touchdowns apiece on the night — a milestone for each in a Hokies uniform, with Overton setting a new career high in the process.
VMI's defense did manage one bright spot, holding Virginia Tech to a field goal on one possession. But a quick three-and-out on the ensuing series gave the ball right back to the Hokies, who capitalized with a 51-yard touchdown run from K. Brown — his eighth career touchdown, but his first at Virginia Tech — to make it 38-0 with 5:14 left in the half. Quarterback E. Grunkemeyer also made history on the drive, throwing his ninth career passing touchdown and his first at Virginia Tech.
VMI's night went from bad to worse before halftime. A blocked punt turned into a scoop-and-score, pushing the lead to 45-0 with 2:48 remaining in the second quarter. It marked VMI's first game with two blocked punts on special teams since 1987, and the 45 first-half points were the most Virginia Tech had scored in a half since a matchup with Tulsa. The Hokies carried that 45-0 lead into the locker room.
Third Quarter Brings More of the Same
VMI's misfortune continued to open the second half. A fumble on the opening drive gave Virginia Tech a short field, and the Hokies capitalized with a 21-yard passing touchdown to extend the lead to 52-0. With 12:33 left in the third quarter, fans began filtering out of Lane Stadium — an understandable reaction to a game that had long been decided. VMI's offense remained stuck in neutral, unable to find the end zone through three quarters, mirroring its performance the week before against Idaho State.
With the outcome no longer in question, Virginia Tech turned to backup quarterback Baker with 11:11 left in the third. Baker promptly led a nine-play, 55-yard drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run, extending the Hokies' rushing touchdown streak to five games dating back to a 2024 matchup with Boston College.
VMI did get one positive break, drawing a personal foul penalty that put the offense in better field position. But any momentum was erased when Virginia Tech's T. Williams intercepted a pass for his first career takeaway. The Hokies couldn't cash in on the turnover and were forced to punt, giving VMI the ball back with 2:16 left in the third quarter. It didn't matter — Virginia Tech's defensive front continued to overwhelm VMI's offensive line, and the Keydets' offense on the whole never found a rhythm. Credit is due to VMI for continuing to compete through adversity, even as the team faced a second consecutive lopsided loss.
Virginia Tech closed the quarter with no mercy, connecting on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Wiggins — the first career touchdown pass and reception for both Baker and Wiggins — on a single-play, 35-yard drive that took just 18 seconds. The score stood at 66-0 with 33 seconds left in the third.
Fourth Quarter Seals a Historic Night
Virginia Tech tacked on one more touchdown early in the fourth quarter, a seven-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 1-yard rushing score, pushing the lead to 73-0 with 10:38 remaining. The 73 points marked the program's first time eclipsing the 70-point threshold since 1995.
VMI avoided the shutout in the closing minutes, driving into the red zone before settling for a field goal to make the final score 73-3. The Keydets showed fight throughout the night, but execution — particularly on offense — was never there against a Virginia Tech team playing on all cylinders.
What It Means
For Virginia Tech, Friday's result was an emphatic, record-setting start to the Franklin era, but not one that came against significant competition. Tougher tests and more meaningful measuring sticks lie ahead on the schedule. Still, for a debut, it's hard to script a much better opening statement than a 73-3 win in front of a sold-out home crowd.
#PGLS
