James Franklin questions 'un-American' Virginia Tech penalty for high-fiving military cadets after touchdown
Hokie Victory Marred by Controversial Penalty for Celebrating with Cadets
Blacksburg, VA – The Virginia Tech Hokies routed the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) 73‑3 on Saturday, but the win was tinged with a moment of controversy that left the head coach, James Franklin, questioning the application of the NCAA’s celebration rules.
The Hokies’ 73‑point rout came in front of a home crowd that watched the team pile up 619 total yards of offense while the Minutemen were held to a modest 83 yards. The game, which marked Coach Franklin’s first victory as the Hokies’ new head coach, was a high‑energy showcase of the program’s newfound momentum.
The incident occurred in the third quarter when Hokie running back Marcellous Hawkins Jr. punched a third touchdown into the end zone with 6:59 left on the clock. Instead of returning the ball to an official—a requirement under NCAA Rule 9‑2, which prohibits “delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed” acts designed to focus attention on a player—Hawkins sprinted down to the stands. He approached a group of cadets seated in the front row and gave them a series of high‑fives, a gesture that was interpreted by an official as an unsportsmanlike act.
“We got a penalty for high‑fiving one of our members of the core,” Coach Franklin said in post‑game comments. “I don’t know why we can’t high‑five somebody in the military; it seems somewhat un‑American to me.”
The penalty, which incurred a 15‑yard loss for Tech, was a rare moment of discipline in a game that otherwise saw Tech dominate every facet of play. Franklin’s frustration was understandable; the touchdown had come on a play that seemed designed for the highlight reel, and the penalty appeared to stem more from a rigid interpretation of celebration rules than from any genuine unsportsmanlike conduct.
Under Rule 9‑2, players must immediately hand the ball to an official after scoring and are not permitted to engage in “delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed” celebrations. The rule is intended to prevent players from drawing attention to themselves or the team in ways that could influence the game or upset the spirit of sportsmanship. While the NCAA does allow some celebratory gestures, the high‑five sequence, combined with the holding of the ball, prompted the official to call the flag.
Virginia Tech’s Corps of Cadets, which traces its origins to 1872, is one of the few public universities that maintains an active military‑style cadet program alongside a civilian campus. For many Hokie fans, the cadet corps is a cherished tradition that represents discipline and service, and the gesture of high‑fiving them was meant to be a celebration of that heritage rather than a display of excess.
In a post‑game interview, Franklin appeared calm but pointedly noted, “It’s a weird penalty. We were celebrating a huge win, and the penalty felt out of place.” The penalty, though, did not alter the outcome; Tech’s offense was unstoppable, and the 70‑point margin of victory was the most decisive of Franklin’s first season.
As the Hokies prepare for the next chapter of the season, the incident will likely be remembered as a footnote in a dominant performance. The University and the NCAA will no doubt review the call, but for now the victory stands—and the high‑five remains a story that will be retold by fans and commentators alike.