By Zachary Koehler

Virginia Tech Head Coach James Franklin was 9-2 all-time against the University of Maryland when he coached at Penn State. It was a new book but the same story for Franklin and the revamped Hokies on Saturday night.

Strong play from Hokies quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, a lopsided time of possession and a non-existent Maryland running game led to the Terps snapping their 20-game non-conference win streak as they fell 35-26 to Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech’s offense was efficient throughout, scoring on five of their first six drives. A big reason for their success was Grunkemeyer’s efficiency. The junior QB is one of 12 transfers that followed Franklin from Penn State.

Grunkemeyer threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns before the halfway mark, building an early lead for the Hokies. He added a rushing touchdown in the second half while making the throws the Hokies needed to ice the game away.

“They were giving him the ball on crucial downs,” Maryland linebacker Daniel Wingate said. “We got to be able to play better defense on that.”

Grunkemeyer finished the game with 314 yards, completing 31 of his 39 pass attempts.

The Hokies also excelled on third downs, going 10-16.

“We got to be able to get the ball on the ground on third down and get off the field,” Wingate said.

Adding to Maryland’s struggles, penalties consistently held back the Terps throughout the matchup. Twice in the second quarter, the Terps defense had Virginia Tech backed up on third down before a pass interference call moved the chains. On both of those drives, the Hokies found the end zone.

Extended drives and efficient quarterback play led to a lopsided time of possession. The Hokies had three drives that lasted over five minutes and had the ball for 13 minutes more than Maryland.

“Going into this game, there were no indications for me that we play defense the way we played in terms of not being able to get off the field or stop the run,” Maryland coach Michael Locksley said.

It was the Terps’ first power conference opponent and the difference was apparent in the trenches.

Sophomore running back Iverson Howard led the team in attempts, averaging just two yards per carry. The other backs didn’t have much more success, combining for 64 total rushing yards on the day.

“There was some opportunities there for some plays to be made,” Maryland quarterback Malik Washington said. “Some execution could have been better on everyone’s part.”

Despite the overall struggles, Maryland’s passing attack was a bright spot. The Terps were able to consistently find explosive plays, especially in the first half.

Long balls from Washington set up two of Maryland’s touchdown drives.

The first came when senior wide receiver Kaleb Webb slipped down the field for a 44-yard completion after Washington extended the play in the backfield.

“The guys always know just to stay alive,” Washington said. “I’m going to try to find you any way I can.”

Washington aired it out again on the next scoring drive, finding junior tight end Dorian Fleming for 29 yards up the seam.

Washington kept the Terps in the game with his 359 passing yards, but a pair of failed two-point conversions pushed Maryland out of reach.

Maryland will look to bounce back when it hosts UCLA on Sept. 26 in its conference opener.

Featured Image: UMD football facing Virginia Tech Sept. 19. Photo by Audrey Bengtson.