Virginia Tech Clinches First 3-0 Start Since 2017 with 35-26 Win Over Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, MD - Saturday's matchup between Virginia Tech (3-0) and Maryland (2-1) was a game of firsts for head coach James Franklin's team.

In his first road game as Virginia Tech's big whistle, the Hokies came out on top 35-26, clinching their first 3-0 start since 2017. It was also their first victory over a non-conference Power 4 opponent since 2017 against West Virginia, a streak of 15 stinging defeats that Franklin acknowledged in his post-game press conference.

"We found a way to come on the road and get a win against a Big 10 opponent and represent the ACC, so I'm very proud of that," Franklin said.

From the outset, Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer announced his presence, going 6-for-6 for 59 yards and connecting with tight end Luke Reynolds on a middle screen for a 14-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead on the Hokies' 13-play, 75-yard opening drive.

The drive was a preview of things to come, as Reynolds brought down 12 receptions for 107 yards (8.9 average) for the game.

With this performance, Reynolds became the first Virginia Tech tight end on record, dating back to 1987, to record consecutive 100+ receiving-yard games. He also became the first Hokies pass-catcher to tally back-to-back games with double-digit catches since Damon Hazelton in 2018.

"It's actually funny because I don't really know the stats until I see them somewhere," Reynolds said. "It's super cool. I'm super grateful that I get to be here and for the people around me that are putting me in places to win and succeed."

Reynolds wasn't the only Virginia Tech player to turn in a historic night. Grunkemeyer, who completed 31 of 39 pass attempts (79%) for 314 yards and three touchdowns, became the first Virginia Tech quarterback to log back-to-back 300+ yard passing games since Ryan Willis in 2018 against Duke and Notre Dame. He's also the first signal-caller to throw 31 completions in consecutive games since at least 1987.

"I think Grunk is doing a really good job," Franklin said. "A lot of times, you see college quarterbacks take one progression, and they're running. This guy's going through his progressions, making adjustments to the protections, able to throw on the run, and he's accurate...He did a really good job of that tonight."

Grunkemeyer and Reynolds have been dynamic together through three games, completing a total of 25 catches for 265 yards and four scores. Grunkemeyer thought their chemistry against the Terps was a difference-maker down the stretch.

"I think it was huge," Grunkemeyer said. "I trusted him on a lot of plays. They played some man coverage for us, and I really like his matchup. Maryland did a good job of scheming some different pressures up, so getting the ball out and having some trust there was critical, especially on third down."

After forcing a stop early in the second quarter, Virginia Tech resumed its offensive pace, driving 74 yards to the Terps' 1-yard line before two penalties and a sack pushed the Hokies back to the 18-yard line. On third down, Grunkemeyer scrambled, weaving his way into the endzone. After Maryland blocked the extra point attempt, Virginia Tech held a 13-0 lead.

Grunkemeyer, who wasn't previously known for his rushing prowess, said the play was a designed quarterback run from the start.

"That was a look we saw and felt good about," Grunkemeyer explained.

Maryland didn't wait long to respond. After the Terps appeared to score on a 45-yard completion to receiver Kaleb Webb behind a Hokies' busted coverage, the officials ruled that Webb stepped out at the 1-yard line. Three plays later, though, Maryland got on the board with a rushing touchdown by Iverson Howard.

After the Hokies were bailed out by a late pass interference call to avoid a three-and-out on their next drive, Grunkemeyer and Reynolds again flashed their on-field chemistry, connecting on a nifty first down completion that kept the drive alive. A few plays later, running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. took the hand-off for a 49-yard scamper down the near sideline, extending the Hokies' lead to 20-7.

It was the longest run of the game for the Virginia Tech rushing attack that totaled 131 yards on 31 attempts. Although it wasn't a prolific night on the ground, Overton (12 carries, 49 yards, 2 TDs) thought Virginia Tech's running game was effective enough to win, and was close to a breakthrough.

"The complementary football has been there," Overton said. "I feel like we just have to keep doing our jobs and the big ones will come."

Overton's long run seemed to re-energize the Maryland sideline, and after stalling the Hokies' next drive, sophomore quarterback Malik Washington (30-for-43 (70%), 359 yards, 3 TDs) pushed the ball downfield to receiver Dorian Fleming, who burned past the Virginia Tech secondary down to the Virginia Tech 16-yard line. For the second time on the drive, the Terps took advantage of a busted Hokies coverage, cashing in on a touchdown reception two plays later to Chris Durr Jr.

Looking to get back on track before the intermission, Virginia Tech took over on offense with 2:11 on the clock. Grunkemeyer found more success this time around, converting on first downs with passes to Reynolds and tight end Benji Gosnell. After Overton bounced his way to the two-yard line, Grunkemeyer completed a pass to a third tight end of the drive in a wide-open Ja'Ricous Hairston in the back of the endzone to take a 27-14 lead with 14 seconds remaining. The play capped off a rejuvenating 11-play drive that stopped the bleeding heading into the break.

Riding its first-half momentum, Virginia Tech forced a Maryland three-and-out to start the third quarter, and subsequently went on an 11-play, 66-yard drive that featured impressive catches from Reynolds, Davion Brown, and Que'Sean Brown. The latter receiver then brought down a diving reception in the corner of the end zone on the ensuing two-point play to push the lead to 35-14.

Franklin mentioned that he was pleased with the Hokies' performances to start halves through three games, noting that Virginia Tech has scored four touchdowns and two field goals, while limiting its opponents to six punts, including against Maryland.

"I think that drive coming out to start the second half that we got them off the field, and then our offense went down and scored a touchdown was one of the critical drives in the game because they were gaining momentum," Franklin said.

The teams traded punts to end the quarter, with the Hokies holding a commanding lead, but they wouldn't be overly comfortable for long.

With its back to the wall, Maryland led a 13-play, 81-yard drive to cut the deficit to 15 after failing to convert on a two-point conversion. Virginia Tech took over with 12:36 left in the game, hoping to run clock and protect its lead, but soon punted back to the Terps.

Facing 3rd-and-20 after a holding penalty backed Maryland up deep into its own end, Washington narrowly avoided a sack and completed a floating pass to Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding for 43 yards. What felt like a foregone conclusion just moments earlier suddenly came to life as Maryland had the ball in plus territory with eight minutes to play. A few plays later, the Terps cut the score to 35-26, courtesy of a Washington touchdown pass to Durr Jr.

The Virginia Tech offense returned to the field hoping to finally put the game away, but Maryland made things difficult once again. On 4th down and short, Grunkemeyer rolled to his right and found Reynolds, who contorted his body in bounds to secure the first down that ultimately ended the game. It was one of several acrobatic catches on the night for the Hokies' tight end, a skill he said Franklin has emphasized throughout preseason practice.

In total, Virginia Tech outgained Maryland 445-423, and won the possession battle 36:39-23:21.

Defensively, the Hokies were solid, tallying four tackles for loss and sacking Washington twice. Saturday marked the third consecutive game in which Virginia Tech did not allow a first-quarter touchdown, an achievement defensive end Aycen Stevens (2 tackles, 1 sack) attributed to the coaching staff's weekly preparation.

"In practice, we have a 'start fast' drill that we do every day," Stevens said. "Our motto is start fast, finish strong, and I think we did that tonight."

While defensive tackle Kemari Copeland (1 tackle) admitted the defense could have played better, being outscored 12-8 and outgained 204-143 in the second half, he was happy with how the team as a whole found a way to get a win that he felt was a long time coming.

"I'm just excited, man," Copeland said. "Last year, we started slow. Lost to South Carolina. Lost to Vandy, Lost to ODU. This was a big game. So, it feels good to have a lot of momentum like we wanted to this year."