Coming up short in a potential fourth-quarter comeback, Virginia Tech football lost 26-23 to Rutgers at home Saturday but finished the game with some noteworthy stats.
Even though it was the “White Effect” game, Tech wore white helmets, maroon jerseys and white pants. The Hokies are now 12-3 since 1987 in that uniform combination.
In the game on Saturday, Tech’s special teams had two successful two-point conversions. The first was a pass to Benji Gosnell, the second was a pass to Stephen Gosnell. This was the first time the Hokies had two successful two-point conversions in the same game since Nov. 11, 1989 when Rodd Wooten connected with Brian McCall and Phil Bryant against Virginia in Scott Stadium.
Virginia Tech is now 5-5 all-time on what has become known as “Earth, Wind & Fire Day.” The first football game the Hokies played on Sept. 21 was a 7-0 win in 1935 against Roanoke College. The other wins on Sept. 21 were against Carawba in 1940, Rutgers in 1996, Texas A&M in 2002 and a triple overtime win against Marshall in 2013.
Since 1987 the Hokies have fought back to tie or take the lead when down 16 or more points in a game ten times. The 16-point deficit to Rutgers in the third quarter was the latest in a game a Tech team was down 16+ and came back to tie or take the lead. Below is a chart of the 10 times the Hokies have battled back.
Saturday’s game marked the 374th consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored. The Hokies are in fourth place in both the all-time and active streak lists.
The ground game has been friendly to the Hokies, as all three scores in the contest came from running the ball. Running back Bhayshul Tuten found plenty of success carrying the ball, amassing 122 rushing yards on 15 attempts.
Tuten’s vision and patience as a ball carrier were on full display as the senior tailback scored on runs of 23, 14 and two yards. The three rushing touchdowns ties his career high set against Boston College last season. The Paulsboro, New Jersey, native has scored in all four games this season and has a nose for the endzone with eight scores on the year. Tuten also has multiple rushing touchdowns in back-to-back contests.
Donning the honorary No. 25 jersey, linebacker Caleb Woodson could be found making plays all over the field on Saturday afternoon. The sophomore finished the contest with double-digit tackles (10), six of which were solo. More impressively, Woodson was disruptive in the Scarlet Knights’ backfield, registering 1.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and a quarterback hurry. The Haymarket, Virginia product recorded a 73.3 pressure grade, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Transfers along the interior defensive line are continuing to make a name for themselves. Graduate student Aeneas Peebles from Duke has been a strong presence for the Hokies’ defensive front. Boasting a PFF pressure grade of 82.7, Peebles recorded his first sack in the maroon and orange. The big play from the fifth-year defensive tackle came late in the second quarter, which was the first of back-to-back sacks in the drive. Peebles finished the outing with five tackles, including an additional three-yard tackle for loss.
– VT Athletics and staff report
