SMU Scored on Its First Eight Possessions: Biggest Winners and Losers in Virginia Tech's 51-28 Loss Against SMU
Overton finds his running form
Overton carried 13 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns, his first 100-yard game since rushing for 209 against Boston College on Sept. 26. His 22-yard touchdown narrowed SMU’s lead to 20–14 in the second quarter, and a 38-yard run helped move Virginia Tech toward midfield in the third.
With Overton producing, Virginia Tech’s decision on fourth-and-1 stood out. Trailing 30–14 in SMU territory, the Hokies handed the ball to fullback Marcellous Hawkins Jr.; Brandon Miyazono stopped him for a 1-yard loss.
Grunkemeyer keeps battling
Quarterback Grunkemeyer completed 28 of 38 passes for 291 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also scored Virginia Tech’s first touchdown on a 1-yard tush push, but SMU sacked him four times.
In the fourth quarter, Grunkemeyer limped during the drive that made the score 44–22 and waved off backup Bryce Baker. He stayed in, ran for a two-point conversion, then connected with Que’Sean Brown on a jump-ball touchdown on the next possession.
SMU overwhelms the defense
The Mustangs amassed 569 yards, including 219 rushing yards at 6.1 yards per carry. Christian Rhodes gained 92 yards on seven attempts, highlighted by a 59-yard run in the third quarter that set up SMU near the red zone.
Jennings threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 10.9 yards per attempt. SMU converted eight of 12 third downs, while Virginia Tech’s defense recorded just one sack after entering the game averaging 3.4 per contest. Receiver Yamir Knight caught three touchdown passes; a 46-yard score followed a coverage miscommunication.
Third quarter shifts the game
Virginia Tech entered Friday having led at halftime in each of its five previous ACC games, but trailed SMU 23–14 at the break. The Mustangs then won the third quarter 14–0 and averaged 11 yards per snap.
The Hokies’ three third-quarter possessions ended in two three-and-outs and a turnover on downs. Across six ACC games, Virginia Tech has been outscored 58–10 in the third quarter.
Conference path narrows
The defeat left Virginia Tech 3–3 in ACC play, with Stanford, Miami and Virginia remaining. The team’s overall record is 6–3, and six ACC teams have fewer league losses: Miami, Wake Forest, SMU, Louisville and Duke are among them.
The defensive struggles included a run unit that had entered allowing 93.4 yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry. Safety Tyson Flowers was ejected for targeting in the second quarter, and a first-quarter interception by Jaquez White was erased by an offside penalty on Kemari Copeland.
Key points
- SMU scored on its first eight possessions and won 51–28.
- Overton rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns for Virginia Tech.
- The Hokies allowed 219 rushing yards and 350 passing yards.
- Virginia Tech fell to 3–3 in the ACC, with three games remaining.