BLACKSBURG, Va. – Quinn Henicle had 270 total yards of offense and accounted for two touchdowns, but Virginia Tech took advantage of three ODU fumbles and to race out to a 34-6 halftime lead and defeated the Monarchs, 44-21 on Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium.
Henicle passed for a career high 187 yards on 13-of-21 passing with a touchdown and rushed for 83 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Marion Thompson had a game-high 11 tackles for the ODU defense, Brandon Crutchfield had eight tackles and his first career sack and Jackson Forrest also had eight tackles and a sack.
Virginia Tech (2-0) got on the board first with a 39-yard field goal from John Love. The Hokies drove to the ODU nine-yard line but Javen Gibson sacked Ethan Grunkenmeyer on third and goal to force the field goal and put VT up 3-0 early in the first quarter.
Following an ODU three and out, the Hokies drove 77 yards in 14 plays as Marcellous Hawkins scored on a 20-yard touchdown to give the Hokies a 10-0 lead.
On the second play of ODU’s next drive, Henicle was sacked and fumbled. Keon Wylie recovered but fumbled the ball at the three as TJ Johnson recovered the ball in the end zone, giving ODU the ball back. On the next play Henicle was sacked and fumbled again as Tyson Flowers recovered and returned it for a 14-yard Virginia Tech touchdown to make the score 17-0 Hokies.
Old Dominion (1-1) got on the board its next possession with a 32-yard field goal from Nathanial Eichner. Back-to-back completions from Henicle to Josh Rodriguez picked up 55 yards and put the Monarchs in field goal range to cut the VT lead to 17-3.
The Hokies went back on top by 17 as Luke Reynolds caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Grunkenmeyer to put the Hokies on top 24-3.
ODU fumbled on the first play of its next possession that Virginia Tech recovered at the ODU 20.
Grunkenmeyer hit Reynolds again for a touchdown three plays later for a 16-yard score to make the score 31-3 midway through the second quarter.
A 79-yard punt return by Que’Sean Brown set up the Hokies at the three, but the ODU defense stiffened to force a 22-yard John Love field goal.
As the first half was ending, Grunkenmeyer was sacked by Malachi Harris and fumbled, giving ODU the ball at the 33. Eichner drilled a 51-yard field goal on the next play as time expired to make the halftime score 34-6 Virginia Tech.
Love added another field goal, this time a 25-yarder, to push the Hokie lead to 37-6.
On the ensuing possession, the Monarchs had their best drive of the game, going 75 yards in 11 plays as Henicle hit Leon Haughton for a seven-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown was set up by a 34-yard completion from Henicle to Rodriguez.
Grunkenmeyer scored from a yard out on a QB sneak early in the fourth quarter but Henicle followed with a 76-yard touchdown run, his fourth career touchdown run of 50+ yards and second one against the Hokies, to make the final score 44-21.
Up Next
ODU returns home next Saturday, Sept. 19 to host East Carolina at 6 p.m.
Notes – The 51-yard field goal by Eichner was a career long … Malachi Harris recorded his first career sack and forced fumble … Quinn Henicle passed for a career high 187 yards … Josh Rodriguez caught three passes for 89 yards, both career highs … Javen Gibson had two tackles for loss and a sack … Malachi Harris became the third first year player to play this season, joining Talan Babin and Shaq Leaks.
Jeff & Billye Chernitzer Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony
The 2026 Jeff and Billye Athletics and Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Sept. 25 at Chartway Arena. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke will be honored along with four other inductees. Heinicke won the prestigious Walter Payton Award and earned First Team All-American honors after leading the nation in nearly every major passing category in 2012.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour with programming beginning at 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.