TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Virginia Tech jumped out to a quick lead and never relinquished it, rolling to a 24-3 victory over Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday night in an ACC game that marked the season opener for both squads.
With the victory, Virginia Tech, ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press poll, snapped a six-game losing streak to the Seminoles in Tallahassee. Florida State came in ranked No. 19.
The Hokies played a strong first half, taking a 17-3 lead into the locker room. A Josh Jackson touchdown pass to Damon Hazelton and a field goal by Brian Johnson on the Hokies' first two possessions gave them a 10-0 lead.
(9/3/2018) 2018 FOOTBALL vs FLORIDA STATE
Tech's special teams made the biggest play of the first half when tight end Chris Cunningham blocked the punt of FSU punter Logan Tyler. Tech's Eric Kumah caught the deflection and ran it three yards into the end zone for a touchdown, which gave the Hokies the 17-3 cushion.
Tech then put the game away late in the fourth quarter when Jackson threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Kuman with 5: 11 remaining.
Jackson threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Tech's defense forced five turnovers, recorded four sacks and held Florida State to just 94 yards rushing.
GAME NOTES
• Kumah's blocked punt return for a score marked the Hokies' first since Anthony Shegog returned one for a touchdown in Tech's win at Purdue in 2015.
• Cunningham's blocked punt marked the Hokies' 11th blocked kick under Justin Fuente and the ninth non-offensive touchdown.
• Tech brought 14 true freshmen on the trip and two of them started – left tackle Christian Darrisaw and long snapper Oscar Shadley.
• Caleb Farley intercepted two passes and had a sack in his collegiate debut.
• Tech's defense recorded 14 tackles for a loss. Trevon Hill had three tackles for a loss and two sacks.
TWEET OF THE GAME
We went 1-0 today! pic.twitter.com/1OitqmZ6Fj
— Virginia Tech Football (@VT_Football) September 4, 2018
UP NEXT
The Hokies' home opener is Saturday, as they take on in-state foe William & Mary. The kickoff is slated for 2 p.m., and the game can be seen on ACC Network Extra.