BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- Triple-threat DeAngelo Hall made sure Syracuse would not have a chance for a third straight victory over Virginia Tech.
Hall became the first player in school history to return two punts for touchdowns in one game and also ran for a score as the fourth-ranked Hokies rolled to a 51-7 Big East Conference victory over the Orangemen.
The versatile Hall can score in many ways. He also is used as wide receiver and cornerback and caught a touchdown pass earlier this year. He has returned four punts for touchdowns in his career and also has an interception for a score.
Against Syracuse, the speedy junior made his presence felt on special teams, returning punts of 58 and 60 yards for touchdowns in a 97-second span in the first quarter.
Hall is the first Virginia Tech player to score on offense, defense and special teams since Bill Hardee (1973-75).
"I think they (Syracuse) led the nation last year in punt coverage, they're good," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "Their punter got them in a jam. You hit those low liners and then we've got a great skill guy back there that can do it. You get a block and DeAngelo will make a few people miss."
"We weren't getting the hang time that you need to have on a kid like DeAngelo Hall and we didn't have the coverage you need," Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni added.
Heisman Trophy candidate Kevin Jones chipped in with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries for the Hokies, his fourth straight 100-yard game.
The Orangemen were overwhelmed early as the Hokies (6-0, 2-0) jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first 10 1/2 minutes.
After giving up more than 600 yards in a 50-42 triple overtime loss to Syracuse last season, Virginia Tech victimized the Orangemen with a series of big plays. Quarterback Bryan Randall got the Hokies rolling with a 75-yard touchdown run 3:19 into the contest.
Randall only completed 6-of-14 passes for 88 yards but rushed for 93 yards on just five carries.
Following Hall's two punt returns, the Hokies' offense slowed in the second quarter as Virginia Tech had to settle for field goals of 34 and 23 yards by Carter Warley.
Jones gave Syracuse a chance by fumbling on the first play of the second half, and the Orangeman cashed in the turnover, closing to 27-7 on Walter Reyes' one-yard TD run.
But Jones broke off a 33-yard TD run on the Hokies' ensuing possession to make it 34-7 with 11:20 left in the third quarter.
"I think this is the closest to an overall game we've played," Beamer said. "The thing I like about this football team is when things get tight, we answer. Today, after that touchdown (by Syracuse), we answered. That's a good feeling."
Virginia Tech continued to pour it on as Jones tacked on a 25-yard TD run and following a Syracuse turnover, Hall ran in from 24 yards to make it 48-7 with six minutes left in the third period.
"Their best players are making plays," Pasqualoni said. "That gets the whole field going. That builds confidence and momentum. They're at home and really focused on the game."
The Hokies held Walter Reyes, who came in as the nation's leading rusher, to just 40 yards on 16 carries. Syracuse quarterback R.J. Anderson also endured a miserable afternoon, completing just 8-of-23 passes for 91 yards.
Virginia Tech gained 352 yards on the ground while posting a 439-172 edge in total offense. Syracuse was just 3-of-17 on third-down conversions, managing only six first downs.
"From the standpoint of being a very balanced football team, I like what we have right now," Beamer said.
