Hokies head on the road for their first Power 4 opponent

By Thomas Howlett

Patriot Publishing

After a dominating win the Hokies hit the road for the first time under James Franklin, as they head up north to College Park to face the Maryland Terrapins.

 

Coach Franklin is familiar with the Terrapins as he was once an assistant there having stints from 2000-2004 and 2008-2010. The latter was his last stop before beginning his head coaching career at Vanderbilt the following year.

 

While this may be a sentimental stop it is not one that is out of the ordinary. In his time at Penn State, Franklin finished with a career 9-2 record against the Terrapins.

 

Franklin will look to lead his squad to another win after a dominant showing against the Old Dominion Monarchs.

 

In last week’s contest the Hokies did not run the ball as effectively, only tallying 89 yards on the ground. While the run game lacking rhythm could be an issue going forward, the good news is that the air attack can pick up the slack.

 

Ethan Grunkemeyer was unleashed against ODU, throwing for 327 yards and two touchdowns. The intermediate passing attack was on full display as the tight ends were a nightmare for the Monarchs all day long.

 

Luke Reynolds had his best game yet with 108 yards on eight catches. Reynolds was also on the receiving end of two touchdown passes.

 

Defensively the Hokies looked excellent, especially the defensive line. Virginia Tech got constant pressure sacking Quinn Henicle seven times. Mylachi Williams was responsible for two of these sacks which also included forced fumbles both times.

 

The second fumble forced by Williams was scooped up by safety Tyson Flowers who ran it in for a touchdown.

 

DQ Smith also made his debut against the Monarchs. Smith, a fifth year transfer addition, was added to the roster just four days prior to the season opener vs VMI. After getting ruled eligible  to play since the NCAA updated its rules to allow all athletes a fifth year.

 

Smith only finished with one tackle in his limited snaps.

 

While ODU was a good test for the Hokies that they aced, Maryland presents a different challenge.

 

Michael Locksley’s Terrapins enter Saturday’s contest 2-0, defeating UConn last week and Hampton to open the season.

 

Maryland was 25 yards shy of hitting the 500 yard mark in the last game against UConn, with 350 yards passing from quarterback Malik Washington. Washington isn’t known for his dual threat ability and he will look to hurt the Hokies through the air.

 

Washington has some deadly weapons on the outside with leading receivers Na’eem Abdul-Raheem Gladding and Chris Durr. Abdul-Raheem Gladding is the only receiver for Maryland with multiple touchdowns on the season.

 

Like Virginia Tech, Maryland features a two man duo at running back with Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III. Howard has been the more consistent of the two with 4.7 yards per carry, but each back has found the endzone three times.

 

As for Maryland’s defense, the Terps have been lockdown only allowing 14 points all season thus far. In that time they have held opposing offenses to just 308 total yards.

 

Carlton Smith leads the unit in tackles at ten with Trey Reddick not far behind at nine. On the defensive line DD Holmes has 2.5 sacks, leading the team.

 

The defense as a whole has ten sacks, but the real strength of the defense is how they force turnovers.

 

The Terrapins have forced two fumbles, recovering one of them while intercepting the opposing quarterback three times. Two of those interceptions have come from the ball-hawking Messiah Delhomme.

 

Both teams will be each other’s first tests of the season. Offensively the Hokies will likely try to establish the run early to help open that intermediate passing attack.

 

Defensively the Hokies don’t have to concern themselves with a dual threat quarterback this week, but now face the challenge of a successful run game. Also some big passing plays were given up in single coverage against ODU so look for Maryland to attack those matchups.

 

If the defensive line plays like they did last week, then it will be a long night for Washington and the offense.

 

With the Hokies 2-0 and on the verge of their first test, a win is still expected for Coach Franklin’s squad. The foundation is becoming more solidified with each win, and Hokie nation can feel it.