Virginia Tech coach James Franklin blasts ‘un-American’ flag thrown on Hokies player high-fiving military member

The James Franklin era at Virginia Tech has begun. Franklin got to enjoy the Enter Sandman entrance for the Hokies for the first time as the head coach. His team was also dominant, winning 73-3 over VMI.

In the third quarter, Marcellous Hawkins Jr. scored on a two-yard run, putting the Hokies up 58-0. Hawkins then went up to one of the members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets in the stands, giving him a high-five. This led to the refs throwing a flag and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty being called on Hawkins. After the game, Franklin spoke about the flag, per Griffin McVeigh of On3.

“We got a penalty for high-fiving one of our members of the core,” Franklin said. “Not a huge fan. I don’t know why we can’t high-five somebody in the military. It seems somewhat un-American to me.”

While Hawkins got a flag for his celebration, he also had a massive game. He ran the ball 12 times for 69 yards and three touchdowns. He was not the only running back who had a big game, as Jeffery Overton Jr. ran the ball nine times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, Virginia Tech scored six times on the ground and also threw three touchdowns.

Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 17 of 20 passes for 224 yards and two scores, while Bryce Baker was ten of 12 for 127 yards and a touchdown. The other touchdown for Virginia Tech came on a blocked punt by Knahlij Harrell in the second quarter, which put Virginia Tech up 45-0 heading into the halftime break.

Virginia Tech is now 1-0 on the year and hosts another in-state rival next week, as they host Old Dominion.

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