Virginia Tech Bounces Back Against Georgia Tech, Wins 34-24 at Lane Stadium (10-17-26)
By: Joey Raymond
Headline Photo Credit: Jason Wiley-3780 Media/LMS Network
BLACKSBURG, Va. — After two straight losses left Virginia Tech searching for answers, the Hokies found a much-needed response Saturday afternoon, defeating Georgia Tech 34-24 at Lane Stadium.
Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC) came out firing on all cylinders, building a 24-3 halftime advantage behind explosive plays from wide receiver Que’Sean Brown, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, and a defense that made Georgia Tech pay for its mistakes. The Yellow Jackets (2-4, 1-2 ACC) made things interesting in the second half, scoring twice in the opening three minutes of the third quarter to cut the deficit to seven.
But the Hokies answered when they needed it most. Grunkemeyer connected with Jeffrey Overton Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, and Virginia Tech did enough down the stretch to secure its first win since the back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh and California.
Brown finished with six catches for 182 yards and a touchdown, adding a major impact on special teams. Grunkemeyer threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns while accounting for another score on the ground. Overton contributed 85 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown as the Hokies showcased the explosive playmaking ability that has made their offense dangerous this season.
Brown Sets the Tone Early
Virginia Tech wasted little time reminding the home crowd what its offense can do when everything clicks. After opening the game with a 13-yard completion to Luke Reynolds, Grunkemeyer found Brown downfield for a 60-yard touchdown. Brown made defenders miss after the catch and raced into the end zone to give the Hokies a 7-0 lead before the game was even two minutes old.
Georgia Tech responded with a promising drive of its own. Quarterback Alberto Mendoza helped move the Yellow Jackets down the field, and a powerful run from Trelain Maddox brought them into scoring territory. However, the Hokies’ defense came up with a crucial play when Maddox fumbled the ball through the back of the end zone for a touchback, giving possession back to Virginia Tech.
The Hokies made the Yellow Jackets pay. Overton helped move the offense downfield with a 28-yard run, while Davion Brown contributed a 12-yard reception to keep the drive alive. Grunkemeyer eventually found open space and took off for a touchdown run, extending Virginia Tech’s lead to 14-0.
The Yellow Jackets struggled to turn their next possession into points, and the Hokies continued to find opportunities through the air. A 32-yard screen completion to Que’Sean Brown helped Virginia Tech move the ball again, but the drive stalled before the end of the opening quarter.
Hokies Build a 21-Point Halftime Lead
Georgia Tech finally got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter after a muffed punt gave the Yellow Jackets possession at the Virginia Tech 19-yard line. The Hokies’ defense responded by limiting the damage. Georgia Tech managed just enough to set up a 31-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 14-3.
Virginia Tech answered with another explosive play from Brown. Grunkemeyer connected with Brown for a 66-yard completion, quickly putting the Hokies in position to extend their lead. After the offense moved closer to the end zone, Virginia Tech faced fourth-and-3 and elected to keep the offense on the field.
The decision paid off. Grunkemeyer found tight end Ja’Ricous Hairston for a five-yard touchdown, pushing the Hokies ahead 21-3. The defense followed with another momentum-shifting play. Mendoza’s pass was intercepted by Virginia Tech safety Quentin Reddish, giving the Hokies possession deep in Georgia Tech territory.
Although Virginia Tech couldn’t turn the takeaway into another touchdown, John Love connected on a 39-yard field goal to extend the advantage to 24-3. The kick was an important moment for Love, who entered the game looking to rebound after missing his previous three attempts. His successful conversion gave the Hokies another three points and capped a dominant first half.
Virginia Tech went into the locker room with a 21-point lead, having combined explosive offense with timely defensive plays. The Hokies appeared to have the game firmly in hand. Georgia Tech, however, wasn’t finished.
Yellow Jackets Make It Interesting
The second half began with a very different Georgia Tech team. Maddox broke through for a 42-yard touchdown run on the Yellow Jackets’ opening possession, immediately cutting into Virginia Tech’s lead. The Hokies then struggled to get anything going offensively, with Grunkemeyer taking multiple sacks before Virginia Tech was forced to punt.
Georgia Tech seized the opportunity. Mendoza found Dalen Penson for a 33-yard touchdown pass, and suddenly a game that had looked firmly in Virginia Tech’s control was a 24-17 contest. The Yellow Jackets had scored twice in the opening three minutes of the third quarter, putting pressure on a Hokies team that had struggled to close out its previous two games. You could feel the collective “Here we go again, in Lane Stadium”
Virginia Tech’s offense couldn’t immediately respond. Overton was stopped behind the line of scrimmage, and pressure on Grunkemeyer forced another punt. The defense then had to step up. Georgia Tech continued to move the ball through the air, but the Hokies generated pressure when they needed it, including a sack from Aycen Stevens that helped force another punt.
Virginia Tech finally found its answer on the next possession. Starting at its own 46-yard line, the Hokies used a combination of runs and short completions to move into scoring territory. Grunkemeyer then delivered the play Virginia Tech needed, finding Overton on a screen pass.
With a key block helping open space, Overton worked his way across the field and into the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown. The score restored a two-possession advantage at 31-17 and gave the Hokies some much-needed breathing room heading into the fourth quarter.
Special Teams and Defense Help Seal the Win
Virginia Tech added to its lead early in the fourth quarter after Brown delivered another major play on special teams. Brown returned a Georgia Tech punt 63 yards, setting the Hokies up in excellent field position. The offense couldn’t find the end zone, but Love converted a 24-yard field goal to make it 34-17.
Georgia Tech continued to fight. Mendoza moved the Yellow Jackets down the field with several completions, but Virginia Tech’s defense came up with a critical sack that forced a fumble. Georgia Tech recovered, but the loss of yardage disrupted the drive, and the Yellow Jackets eventually missed a field goal wide right.
The Hokies had another opportunity to put the game away, but a stalled drive forced them to punt. Georgia Tech capitalized on the extra possession. Mendoza continued to find receivers downfield, and the Yellow Jackets eventually reached the end zone on a six-yard touchdown pass, cutting Virginia Tech’s lead to 34-24 with just over five minutes remaining.
The score put the pressure back on Virginia Tech to finish the job and this time, the Hokies delivered. Overton broke loose for a 20-yard run to open the next drive, and Grunkemeyer added an 18-yard scramble as Virginia Tech worked its way downfield. Despite a mishandled snap that briefly threatened to derail the possession, the Hokies continued to move the chains.
Hawkins eventually picked up a crucial first down, allowing Virginia Tech to drain the clock and force Georgia Tech to use its remaining timeouts. The Hokies entered victory formation and took a knee, sealing a 34-24 victory in front of the home crowd.
A Needed Win, but Work Remains
For Virginia Tech, Saturday’s victory was an important step after two difficult losses. The Hokies showed just how dangerous their offense can be when Grunkemeyer has time to find his playmakers, and Brown delivered a performance that was difficult for Georgia Tech to contain.
Brown’s 182 receiving yards and touchdown highlighted his ability to change a game with a single touch. His impact on punt returns added another dimension, while Overton’s contributions on the ground and through the air gave Virginia Tech another reliable playmaker.
Grunkemeyer also delivered an encouraging performance, finishing with 250 passing yards and three passing touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Love’s two successful field goals were another positive, particularly after his recent struggles. There are still questions to answer, however.
After holding Georgia Tech to just three points in the first half, Virginia Tech surrendered 14 points in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The Yellow Jackets finished with 428 total yards, compared with 409 for the Hokies, and Mendoza found plenty of opportunities to move the ball through the air as the game progressed.
The Hokies will need to be more consistent on both sides of the ball if they want to build on this performance against tougher competition, starting next week with the Clemson Tigers. Still, Saturday provided something Virginia Tech desperately needed: a win. The Hokies improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play, ending their two-game losing streak and giving the program a chance to build momentum heading into a difficult road matchup.
Virginia Tech now turns its attention to Clemson, with a trip to Death Valley awaiting next Saturday. The Hokies will look to carry the confidence from their Homecoming victory into one of their biggest remaining tests of the season.
