Franklin’s Blowout & Penalty Drama | Virginia Tech Hokie Football News

James Franklin’s Virginia Tech debut was a statement win—73-3 over VMI—but the game took an unexpected turn when running back Marcellous Hawkins Jr. got flagged for high-fiving a service member, sparking Franklin’s fiery defense of the moment as “un-American.” While he pushed for fewer penalties overall, he praised his team’s depth and effort, especially giving backups like Bryce Baker crucial reps to grow. This blowout wasn’t just about dominance—it was about building a roster ready for the long haul. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/eff5af90cc39c5b5