Virginia Tech Hokies Defeat the Richmond Spiders, 21-10.

The Virginia Tech Hokies defeated the Richmond Spiders, 21-10.

The Virginia Tech Hokies have scored on their first drive in three out of four games. The only game, where they haven’t scored on the opener, was last week against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Today’s opening drive saw Braxton Burmeister go 3 / 4, 49 yards, and end with a spectacular TD catch by Tre Turner. For the remainder of the first half the VT offense struggled with execution errors and questionable coaching decisions. Braxton missed several open receivers and the Hokie rushing attack wasn’t finding much purchase on deck. Tre Turner was the offensive high point with five receptions for 60 yards and a score.

After an early injury to the Spiders’ starting QB, Joe Mancuso, which saw him leave the game, the Spiders were able to find some success with their robust stable of running backs. The Virginia Tech defense still held Richmond scoreless until a series of dubious coaching decisions during the second half. On fourth and 14, at the Richmond 41, the Hokies elected to fake a punt, which didn’t go well. Although Richmond couldn’t turn their best field position of the day, thus far, into a score, they were able to win a field position victory, pinning the Hokies at the VT six-yard line with a 42-yard punt. On the ensuing drive, Virginia Tech backup QB, Knox Kadum, took the field (for some reason) and promptly threw an interception, setting up Richmond running back Savon Smith for a 16-yard rushing TD.

On their final two drives of the half the VT offense failed to capitalize, and the only thing that allowed the Hokies to break the 7-7 tie was the defense backing Richmond up deep into their territory, setting up Tavyion Robinson’s 60-yard punt return score. At the break the Hokies led 14-7.

Richmond received the ball to start the second half and marched down the field 54-yards, taking near five minutes off the clock and hitting a 38-yard field goal to make the game 14-10. Upon his return to the field Burmeister finally hit on one of his many deep throws, finding Tre Turner for a 42-yard reception, setting up the Connor Blumrick, TD.

During the fourth quarter the VT defense took over and harried a tired and struggling Richmond that was becoming much more susceptible to miscues and unforced errors. Virginia Tech’s offense also struggled to get things going and the game ended 21-10. The Hokies improve to 3-1 (1-0 ACC) on the season. Next week the Hokies have a bye week before hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.