By CHRIS KAHN
Associated Press Writer

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Virginia Tech's running game couldn't be healthier despite losing star tailback Lee Suggs.

The No. 9 Hokies (2-0) handed the ball to six backs Saturday, pounding out 271 yards on the ground in a 31-0 victory over Western Michigan in the first meeting between the teams.

Keith Burnell ran for 74 yards and a touchdown in his first career start. Kevin Jones and Wayne Ward combined for 125 yards, and fullback Jarrett Ferguson added 35 yards and a TD against the Broncos (1-1).

"As a team, we really got out there," Burnell said. "I was very satisfied that coach gave me the ball to show what I can do to help carry this team - but I can't do it by myself."

With Virginia Tech starting on its 2 early in the third quarter, Burnell pounded up the middle six consecutive times for 25 yards. Ward added a 23-yard run and Ferguson scampered 24 yards into the end zone, capping the 98-yard scoring drive.

Grant Noel was 13-for-25 for 144 yards, hitting fullback Doug Easlick for a 22-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter for Easlick's first career reception and TD.

Tech jumped to a 17-0 lead in the first half, after the Wayne Ward blocked a punt inside the Broncos 20, and Burnell ran 11 yards for a touchdown on the following drive.

"It as a good ball game," Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "You can ask my wife, I was concerned about this ball game. I credit our defense, because they're a good offensive team."

Tech's swarming defense gave Broncos quarterback Jeff Welsh fits, tipping three straight passes in the second quarter.

"They were throwing those short passing routes, and all you have to do is stick your hands up there and bat them down," defensive tackle David Pugh said.

Welsh finished the game with 100 yards on 12-for-25 passing before being replaced by Ryan Harris in the fourth quarter. Both Welch and Harris were sacked once.

The Broncos were frustrated throughout the day, getting called for 13 penalties for 103 yards.

"We can't have that," Broncos coach Gary Darnell said. "When any chance you have you negate with your own penalties, then you don't have a chance."

The closest Western Michigan got to scoring was fourth-and-5 early in the fourth quarter. The Broncos missed a chance at a field goal after a bad snap.

Saturday's win gives the Hokies a school record at 14 consecutive victories at Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech has been undefeated at home since the 1999 season. Tech's record for home wins at Miles Field was 23 games, set from 1914-20.

Suggs, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus in the Hokies' 52-10 victory over Connecticut last week, is expected to undergo arthroscopic surgery within the week.