Brown's 182 yards and Georgia Tech's costly mistakes carry Hokies to 34-24 win

Georgia Tech gained 428 yards at Virginia Tech and still spent Saturday trying to recover from the damage Que'Sean Brown did before its first offensive snap. Brown turned the Hokies' third play into a 60-yard touchdown, part of a six-catch, 182-yard afternoon that helped Virginia Tech win 34-24.

The Yellow Jackets eventually outgained the Hokies by 19 yards. Two turnovers and a failed chance to finish their opening drive left Georgia Tech with a 24-3 halftime deficit, however, and its sudden recovery in the third quarter stopped one score short of a tie.

Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another as Virginia Tech ended a two-game losing streak. The Hokies improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the ACC; Georgia Tech fell to 2-4 and 1-2.

Brown puts Georgia Tech behind early

Brown's opening touchdown forced an immediate response, and the Yellow Jackets nearly supplied one. Trelain Maddox fumbled near the goal line, with the ball going through the end zone for a touchback. Virginia Tech then drove for another touchdown, finished by Grunkemeyer's 20-yard run.

Virginia Tech Athletics' official highlights include Brown's first strike and the touchdown that finally checked Georgia Tech's comeback:

Georgia Tech got a field goal after a muffed punt, but the Hokies continued to add to their lead. Grunkemeyer found Ja'Ricous Hairston for a 5-yard touchdown. A Mendoza interception gave Virginia Tech another opportunity, and John Love's 39-yard field goal made it 24-3 before halftime.

The mistakes were expensive for a Georgia Tech offense that otherwise had productive afternoons from Alberto Mendoza and Jordan Allen. Mendoza completed 29 of 38 passes for a career-high 335 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Allen caught 10 passes for 120 yards.

Overton stops the comeback

Maddox opened the second half with a 42-yard touchdown run. After the defense forced a punt, Mendoza hit Dalen Penson for a 33-yard score with 12:01 left in the third quarter. Georgia Tech had cut a 21-point deficit to seven within the opening three minutes of the half.

Virginia Tech punted again, leaving the Yellow Jackets a chance to keep the comeback moving. Georgia Tech could not turn that possession into points. On the Hokies' next drive, Jeffrey Overton Jr. took a Grunkemeyer pass 26 yards for a touchdown and a 31-17 lead.

Overton also ran for 85 yards. Brown later added a 63-yard punt return that helped set up Love's 24-yard field goal. Mendoza found Jaiven Plummer for a 6-yard touchdown with 5:20 remaining, but Georgia Tech never got the ball back. Virginia Tech kept possession through the final whistle and heads to Clemson next Saturday.