Marty Gordon
Virginia Tech’s win over Old Dominion this past weekend helped fans to understand this year’s team a little more. Matter of fact, the contest opened the door on five things we learned about the team from Blacksburg.
In Saturday’s game, the Hokies got things started quickly by scoring a touchdown on their first two drives of the game. The two touchdowns were the first time Tech has scored touchdowns on their first two drives of a game since Oct. 23, 2021 against Syracuse in Lane Stadium.
The last time the Hokies scored on their first two drives of the game was in 2023, also against Syracuse. In that game Tech opened with a 43-yard field goal, followed by a 16-yard touchdown pass.
There is a new “sack man” in Blacksburg.
Redshirt senior Antwaun Powell-Ryland continued to show his prowess on the field Saturday picking up four sacks in the game. The four sacks tied the record for sacks in a game, and it’s his second time picking up four sacks which ties the record for multiple four sack games with “the Sack man” and defensive great Bruce Smith.
Here’s the full list of players with four sacks in a game:
Antwaun Powell-Ryland vs. Old Dominion – 2024
Antwaun Powell-Ryland vs. Wake Forest – 2023
J.C. Price vs. Miami – 1995
Morgan Roane vs. William & Mary – 1985
Bruce Smith vs. William & Mary – 1984
Bruce Smith vs. Duke – 1983
Tech’s offensive line did their job protecting the quarterback against the Monarchs by not allowing a sack in the game. It’s the second year in a row that Old Dominion didn’t pick up a sack against the Hokies. The last time a team was sackless against Tech in back-to-back seasons, was in 2011 and 2012 against Boston College.
Wide receiver Jaylin Lane was chosen to wear the number 25 after recording a 58 yard punt return the previous week against Marshall. Since the tradition started in 2016, nine wide receivers have donned the number 25 jersey in a game.
Lane finished the game with seven receptions for 106 yards, the most by a wide receiver while wearing number 25. The previous most was by Tré Turner against Marshall in 2018. In that game, Turner had 99 yards receiving on three catches.
Saturday’s game marked the 373rd consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored. The Hokies are in fourth place in both the all-time and active streak lists.
Drones is definitely a dual threat.
Mobile quarterbacks can be found a dime a dozen in college football, but few can finish plays lowering their shoulders and trucking defenders like Kyron Drones does.
Tech’s signal caller had his way against Old Dominion’s defense as a runner, tallying 117 yards on the ground. The redshirt junior’s best run of 53 yards paired wonderfully with a stiff arm, sending a Monarch defender into the turf and trucking another on his way out of bounds after picking up another 12-plus yards after contact.
Drones scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter on a Tech tush push and added another through the air, finding a wide-open Jaylin Lane for a 25-yard connection in the game’s opening drive. The Houston, Texas native threw for 176 yards, with his longest completion going for 46 yards on a broken play in which he connected with Lane.
The offense depends on the run.
Tech’s identity under offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen starts with the run, and running back Bhayshul Tuten continues to showcase why he is a key cog within the scheme.
In back-to-back games, the Paulsboro, New Jersey native has recorded over 100 rushing yards. Tuten looked very impressive against the Monarchs, displaying a strong mix of speed and finishing plays with power, delivering the contact to incoming defenders.
The senior tailback rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 21 totes, with a solid 5.5 yards per carry average. In the fourth quarter, it became the Tug Boat Show as Tuten scored on a 16-yard rush on the first play and ripped off a 22-yard score the following possession after Mansoor Delane’s interception.
The transfer portal has benefited the roster tremendously over the past two years. This offseason, the interior defensive position group saw an invigorating collection of talent come to Blacksburg. On Saturday, Kelvin Gilliam Jr. made his presence known, generating pressure throughout the matchup. The Oklahoma transfer amassed six tackles and recorded his first sack of the season. Gilliam recorded a solid 75.6 tackle grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Now onto Rutgers.
