In a close battle on the road, Virginia Tech football came up short in overtime to Syracuse 38-31. During the high-scoring affair, the Hokies finished the game with some notable stats.
Saturday’s game featured Collin Schlee, a transfer from UCLA, get his first start at quarterback for the Hokies in place of an injured Kyron Drones. Going back to the 1997 season, Tech is now 10-4 in games in which a quarterback that didn’t start the first game of the season got their first start.
Not only did Schlee get his first start at quarterback, Jeremiah Coney saw significant playing time in place of an injured Bhayshul Tuten. Schlee passed for 206 yards and rushed for 54 while Coney rushed for 96 yards including a 47-yard rush at the end of the first half. The duo combined for 356 yards rushing and passing. For the season, the duo of Tuten and Drones have averaged 340 yards of rushing and passing.
As a team, the Hokies ran for 249 yards and passed for 206 yards. This was the first 200 or more yards passing and rushing game since passing for 248 yards and running for 252 yards against Virginia last season.
Sackman update
Antwaun Powell-Ryland added another sack to his career on Saturday. He now has 12 sacks this season and 21.5 for his career at Virginia Tech. He moves into fifth place on the most sacks in a season list and is tied for seventh place with Ken Ekanem and Darryl Tapp on the career list.
UniWatch
The Hokies wore all white for the first time this season. Tech is now 19-11 in all white since 1987. It was the seventh different uniform combination of the season.
The streak continues
Saturday’s game marked the 379th consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored. The Hokies are in 4th place in both the all-time and active streak lists. In that span, Tech has shutout their opponent 34 times.
Tech playmakers
Big plays and tight windows
Wide receiver Stephen Gosnell showcased strong chemistry with quarterback Collin Schlee right out of the gate. During the Hokies’ first drive, the fifth-year wideout put the offense in prime scoring position, sneaking past Syracuse’s secondary for a 48-yard gain, leading to the game’s first touchdown. Gosnell’s first two receptions were just a glimpse of what was to come for the outing. He would follow up his long reception on the first drive with a 44-yard over-the-shoulder reception on the next possession. The Pilot Mountain, North Carolina native nearly hit the century mark in the first half, proving to be a sure-handed target for Schlee. Gosnell went on to lead the team with five catches for 118 yards, and most of his receptions turned into first downs.
One man band
Turnovers generated by the Hokies are music to defensive coordinator Chris Marve‘s ears. Cornerback Mansoor Delane displayed his nose for the pigskin, creating two turnovers on Saturday afternoon. The talented junior first intercepted quarterback Kyle McCord in the second quarter, halting momentum built after the Orange converted a first down the play prior. Delane’s playmaking ability continued later in the quarter as he forced a fumble in the redzone, preventing yet another drive from effectively reaching scoring territory. The Silver Spring, Maryland, product finished the contest with six tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, and played a significant role in Tech’s ability to limit Syracuse to only three points in the first half.
Mr. Big Mitt
The battle in the trenches was a consistent matchup to watch in JMA Wireless Dome, and defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles was a formidable presence on the interior. In a stat, most fans wouldn’t expect to be led by a lineman; Peebles tied for the most deflections with two on the day. His uncanny ability to generate pressure on the quarterback allowed him to deflect multiple passes at the line of scrimmage. Peebles recorded a team-best 86.4 pass rush grade, according to Pro Football Focus, and amassed three tackles against the Orange.
Virginia Tech Athletics