Going into the season, there were a lot of questions surrounding the Virginia Tech football team in multiple areas. One of them was on offense and just how all the new players were going to fit in with returners that James Franklin and his new staff retained.
Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer got some valuable experience last year at Penn State after Drew Allar went down with an injury, while tight end Luke Reynolds was another key addition from the Nittany Lions. Another addition through the portal was Duke transfer Que'Sean Brown, who has quickly become a key addition as a wide receiver and punt returner.
All three had a major hand in the Hokies' win on Saturday, and Franklin didn't mince words after the game about the trio and trying to defend them after a 44-21 win over Old Dominion at Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
“I think the combination of Grunk (Grunkemeyer), Q (Que’Sean Brown, who had seven catches), and Luke is problematic,” Franklin said. “When you’ve got a tight end on one side and a slot reliever on the other, that’s difficult for a defense to stop. When you’ve got one guy, there’s ways schematically to take that guy out, but when you’ve got a guy on either side of the formation, that’s challenging.”
Virginia Tech's offense needs to carry this to the road
Sure, the Virginia Tech offense has looked good through the first two games, but remember, it was against VMI and Old Dominion. There is going to be a step up in competition for the rest of the season, with nothing but Power Conference teams remaining on the schedule. However, you can't deny the results.
Gurnkemeyer had a career day, throwing for 327 yards on 31-of-42 passing and two touchdowns, while also rushing for another. As for Reynolds, he hauled in eight catches for 108 yards and a pair of second-quarter touchdowns. Brown had seven catches for 41 yards, while also having an explosive 79-yard punt return that was stopped at the ODU 1-yard line.
Let's make no mistake about it, they are some of the top players on offense for Virginia Tech, but there is a handful of talent that goes beyond them. Ayden Green, Davion Brown, and Tyseer Denmark all have explosive speed to make plays, and let's not forget about the other tight ends, Benji Gosnell and Ja'Ricous Hairston.
Let's not forget about the running game with Marcellous Hawkins Jr. and Jeffrey Overton Jr. either. If Virginia Tech can get everything clicking, they are going to be a matchup nightmare for opponents this season. So far, they have been against two inferior opponents; now they have to do it on the road against Power Conference foes.
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