The Shadow
BLACKSBURG, Va. (VR) – In the first game of a new era of Virginia Tech football, the Hokies scored early and often against VMI winning 73-3 at Lane Stadium in front of a full house Saturday evening. Tech scored on the opening drive of the game finding the end zone on a 50-yard rush from Jeffrey Overton Jr., the first of 10 touchdowns that the homestanding Hokies would score.
The Hokies received the football to begin the game and moved the ball down the field in an efficient seven-play drive finding the end zone on a 50-yard rush by running back Jeffrey Overton, Jr.
The next possession, Tech’s defense forced a punt attempt, which was blocked by captain Tyson Flowers, giving the Hokies their first punt block since November of 2024.
Ethan Grunkmeyer and the Hokies’ offense scored touchdowns on each of the first four offensive possessions and scored points on each of the first six possessions of the game, the first time that the Hokies achieved the feat since Oct. 26, 2023 vs. Syracuse. Grunkemeyer finished the game going 17-for20 for 224 yards and two scores in his debut in Blacksburg.
At halftime, Tech led 45-0.
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Game Notes
•Tech led 21-0 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
•The Hokies scored the most point in a half (45) since Dec. 26, 2015 vs. Tulsa in the first half tonight.
•It was the first time since Nov. 18, 2017 vs. Pitt that the Hokies blocked two punts in a game.
•Mylachi Williams‘ sack in the first quarter was the first of his career.
•Knahlij Harrell‘s scoop-and-score touchdown was the first such score on a punt block since October of 2022 at Pitt.
•The Hokies did not punt in the first half, it was the first game with no punts in a half since Nov. 15, 2025 at FSU.
•VMI’s 32 yards gained in the first half are the fewest by a Hokie opponent since Boston College gained 32 Sept. 17, 2016.
•Tyson Flowers‘ punt block in the first quarter was Tech’s first since Nov. 2025 against Louisville.
•Aycen Stevens was credited with a strip sack in the third quarter, his first career sack.
•Luke Reynolds hauled in his first touchdown as a Hokie in the third quarter.
•Cortez Harris recorded the first sack and punt block of his career
•For Overton, Jr., the two-score game on the ground, was the first of his career. He also recorded 100 yards for the first time as a Hokie.
•Marcellous Hawkins, Jr. scored three times on the ground, tying his career high, set at Central Missouri.
•The Hokies’ six rushing touchdowns were the most since October of 2024 when they scored five against Boston College.
•Thomas Williams came up with the Hokies’ first takeaway of the season with his third quarter interception. It was the first interception of his career.
•Chanz Wiggins caught a 40-yard score from Bryce Baker in the third quarter, a play that resulted in the first career touchdown for both athletes. It was Wiggins’ first career catch.
•A.J. Brand found the end zone in the fourth quarter on a one-yard rush. It was Brand’s first career touchdown.
•John Love‘s 10 extra points made against VMI tied a program record for a single game.
•The Hokies’ 18 tackles for loss were the most in a single game since at least 1987.
Up Next
The Hokies will play host to another Commonwealth foe in Old Dominion next Saturday, Sept. 12 at Lane Stadium. Kickoff for that contest is set for noon with TV coverage available on The CW.
