BLACKSBURG, Va. — Raheem Blackshear rushed for two touchdowns to lead No. 19 Virginia Tech to a 35-14 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
The Hokies (2-0) scored on their first three possessions of the second half, including back-to-back TDs by Blackshear, in a game they led 14-7 at halftime.
Virginia Tech broke open the game when Jalen Holston scored on a 29-yard, third-quarter run to take a 21-7 lead. Blackshear, who rushed for 58 yards, then scored on runs of 6 yards and 1 yard on ensuing possessions to help the Hokies build a 35-7 cushion.
Braxton Burmeister threw for 142 yards and a score for Virginia Tech, which finished with 375 yards.
Bailey Hockman threw for 207 yards and a score to lead the Blue Raiders (1-1), who had 349 yards.
THE TAKEAWAY
Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders kept the game close until Hockman threw a third-quarter interception that led to Blackshear’s 6-yard score to give the Hokies a 28-7 lead. Middle Tennessee, which fell to 0-21 versus ranked foes, now gears up for Conference USA play, which starts next Saturday.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies avoided a letdown after an upset of then-No. 10 North Carolina in their season opener, using a balanced attack and good defense in a methodical win over the Blue Raiders. Virginia Tech will receive a much stiffer test next Saturday with a road game at rival West Virginia — its first road test of the season. The Hokies and Mountaineers have faced each other just once in the past 16 seasons.
UP NEXT
Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders play at UTSA on Saturday.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies play at West Virginia on Saturday.
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