virginia tech climbs four spots in the ap top 25 poll

Chris Hirons

Co-Editor-in-Chief

September 12, 2021

BLACKSBURG — For the first time since Sept. 2018, Virginia Tech (2-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) has re-entered the top 15, climbing four spots to No. 15 after its 35-14 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon.

The Hokies are the highest-ranked unbeaten ACC team, while Clemson (1-1) remains the conference highest-seeded team at No. 6. Tech entered the rankings at No. 19 last week after upsetting then-No. 10 North Carolina 17-10 on Sept. 3.

Against Middle Tennessee, VT ran for 224 yards and never trailed in its win. The Hokies used multiple packages that included Texas A&M transfer Connor Blumrick out of the shotgun, running option plays in the second quarter.

He accounted for Tech’s second touchdown of the afternoon after scrambling for 33 yards a play before scampering into the endzone for a two-yard score.

Tech avoided disaster after starting quarterback Braxton Burmiester took a vicious hit from Blue Raider safety Gregory Gate, and left the game for 7 plays before returning to hit Tayvion Robinson in the end zone on his first play back in action.

No. 21 North Carolina (1-1) and No. 24 Miami (1-1) round out the rest of the ACC teams that were ranked on Sunday afternoon. The Hokies travel south to face the Hurricanes in November, while Notre Dame (2-0), who plays Tech at Lane Stadium on Oct. 9, fell three spots to No. 12.