BLACKSBURG -- Brandon Flowers returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown and Eddie Royal scored on a 60-yard punt return as No. 17 Virginia Tech defeated William & Mary 44-3 Saturday.

The Hokies (3-1) dominated from the beginning against the Tribe (2-2) of the Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), scoring three touchdowns and two field goals in the first quarter. They turned to Beamerball tactics for their most lopsided victory of the season.

Flowers intercepted a pass by Jake Phillips and brought it all the way back in the first quarter to make it 20-0. Royal's return came with 13:56 to play in the second quarter, giving the Hokies a 34-0 lead.

William & Mary's only score came with 3:07 left in the first half, a 22-yard field goal by Brian Pate. The Tribe didn't get out of Virginia Tech territory in the first quarter, and a drive to the Tech 16 in the third ended with a missed field goal.

Virginia Tech had 287 total yards, with 133 yards rushing. Freshman Tyrod Taylor was 6-for-13 for 72 yards in the first half, including a 34-yard touchdown pass to Branden Ore. Sean Glennon was 5-for-9 for 49 yards as coach Frank Beamer emptied his bench in the third quarter. Cory Holt went 4-of-5 for 33 yards in the last period.

The Tribe relied on its passing game for 257 total yards, but had only 5 yards on the ground. Phillips, who was 17-of-40 with three interceptions for 243 yards, was sacked five times, twice in the third quarter by backup linebacker Purnell Sturdivant.

Virginia Tech's first two scores came on Jud Dunlevy's field goals of 25 and 27 yards in the first quarter, and he added a 38-yarder in the third.

The Hokies got their first touchdown after a bad snap gave them possession on their 5 with 4:47 left. Ore scored from the 2.

Kenny Lewis Jr. added an 8-yard TD run with 17 seconds left in the quarter to make it 27-0.

It was the first meeting of the two teams since 1985, and set the Hokies up for a big stretch drive. They play eight straight games against Atlantic Coast Conference foes, beginning at home next Saturday against North Carolina.