Franklin Blasts Penalty on Virginia Tech TD Scorer After 73-3 Rout for High-Fiving Cadets
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 6
Franklin Blasts Penalty on Virginia Tech TD Scorer After 73-3 Rout for High-Fiving Cadets
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 6
Summary
Virginia Tech coach James Franklin called an unsportsmanlike penalty “un-American” after running back Marcellous Hawkins Jr. was flagged for high-fiving cadets following his third touchdown in a 73-3 win over VMI.
With 6:59 left in the third quarter, Hawkins ran to the front row and slapped hands with members of the Corps of Cadets while still holding the ball, prompting the end-zone official to throw the flag.
NCAA Rule 9-2 bars delayed, excessive or choreographed celebrations and requires players to return the ball to an official immediately after scoring, a likely basis for the call.
The complaint came on an otherwise dominant day for the Hokies, who outgained VMI 619 yards to 83 in James Franklin's emphatic debut.
Virginia Tech's Corps of Cadets dates to 1872, and the school remains one of the few public universities combining an active cadet corps with a civilian campus.