ACC Opener Nor'easter
Virginia Tech and Boston College Prepare for Weather-Impacted ACC Opener
Anonymous
Virginia Tech (3-0) visits Boston College (2-1) Saturday for both teams’ ACC opener, seeking its first 4-0 start since 2017 after outscoring opponents 152-50. The Hokies’ offense is led by Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who has completed 78.2% of his passes for 865 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions, and tight end Luke Reynolds, who has 25 catches, 265 yards and four touchdowns. Virginia Tech also brings a productive rushing tandem in Jeffrey Overton Jr. and Marcellous Hawkins Jr., while Boston College’s defense hopes to pressure Grunkemeyer with its top edge rushers available. Heavy rain and wind from a forecast Nor’easter could significantly alter both teams’ game plans, increasing the importance of ball security, the running game and short throws. Boston College coach Bill O’Brien and his players say they are prepared to embrace the difficult conditions in the Eagles’ home opener.
Key Points
1
Virginia Tech defeated Boston College 42-21 in the teams’ most recent meeting in 2024, extending the Hokies’ current winning streak against the Eagles to three games.
2
Virginia Tech has allowed only five sacks this season, with Grunkemeyer hit just three additional times, while Boston College has recorded eight sacks. The Eagles expect to have both starting edge rushers, Onye Nwosisi and Kris Jones, available for the matchup.
3
Jeffrey Overton Jr. has rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. The redshirt freshman missed the first eight games of 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL and now forms a two-back rotation with Marcellous Hawkins Jr.
4
Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie leads the Eagles in rushing with 225 yards on 48 carries, making his mobility an important factor if rain and wind limit the passing game.
5
The game is Virginia Tech’s first Power Four nonconference victory opportunity after the Hokies’ 35-26 win at Maryland, where Grunkemeyer and Reynolds connected for 12 receptions and 107 yards and Overton and Hawkins combined for 124 rushing yards.
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