Virginia Tech beats Georgia Tech 34-24 to end two-game losing streak
The Hokies built a 21-point halftime lead, then answered Georgia Tech’s third-quarter rally with two scoring drives.
Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech 34-24 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg on Saturday, October 17, ending a two-game losing streak after the Yellow Jackets cut a 21-point halftime deficit to seven. The Hokies improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play; Georgia Tech fell to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
How Virginia Tech built its lead
Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer connected with Que’Sean Brown for a 60-yard touchdown on the game’s third play, putting Virginia Tech ahead 7-0. Grunkemeyer also scored on a 20-yard run, according to Easy Sportz. The Hokies scored on four of their first five possessions and led 24-3 at halftime, the Associated Press reported.
Grunkemeyer finished with 250 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Brown caught six passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Their opening connection gave Virginia Tech an early advantage in a game that became much closer after halftime.
Georgia Tech’s rally and Virginia Tech’s response
Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza helped lead the comeback. The Yellow Jackets cut the score to 24-17 early in the third quarter on his 33-yard touchdown pass. The two reports differ on the receiver’s surname. Mendoza completed 29 of 38 passes for a career-high 335 yards and two touchdowns, according to the AP.
Virginia Tech responded with scoring drives across the third and fourth quarters. Grunkemeyer’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Jeffrey Overton Jr. made it 31-17 with 5:41 left in the third, and John Love kicked a 24-yard field goal early in the fourth to extend the lead to 17 points. Georgia Tech later narrowed the final margin to 10.
The Yellow Jackets outgained the Hokies 428-409, but two Georgia Tech turnovers led to 10 Virginia Tech points, the AP reported. Its account also cited a muffed punt and a missed short field goal among Georgia Tech’s mistakes. One turnover came when Trelain Maddox fumbled as he approached the end zone on the Yellow Jackets’ first possession, resulting in a touchback.
Virginia Tech coach James Franklin said he was pleased that offense, defense and special teams each contributed, while acknowledging areas to clean up. Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said his team had improved in parts of the game but needed more consistency. The AP listed Virginia Tech’s next game at Clemson and Georgia Tech’s next game at home against Boston College, both on Saturday.
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Sources and context
- Virginia Tech Beats Georgia Tech 34-24 to Snap Losing StreakEasy Sportz (article carried by Yahoo Sports)
- Virginia Tech holds off Georgia Tech 34-24 to snap two-game skidAssociated Press (published by CBS Sports)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.