Progress? Fast Start and Second-Half Surge Fuel Hokies in 37-17 Win Over Old Dominion
Progress? Fast Start and Second-Half Surge Fuel Hokies in 37-17 Win Over Old Dominion
The Norfolk curse has ended, but did Saturday's win over the Monarchs show that Virginia Tech can be an ACC contender?
We’re three weeks into the 2024 season, and I still don’t know how good Virginia Tech’s football team is.
Remember that team the Hokies lost to in Week 1? They just lost to Georgia State. And while Virginia Tech is on a two-game win streak, Saturday’s win did not inspire as much confidence and hope for the future as we all would have liked.
Don’t get it twisted — Virginia Tech’s win on Saturday was convincing. The Hokies scored 23 points in the second half, including 17 in the fourth quarter. Tech rushed for nearly 300 yards, averaging more than five yards a carry. The defense forced two turnovers and registered five sacks. Aside from a few long runs, Old Dominion did not legitimately threaten to win the game.
With that said, a 20-point win over 0-3 Old Dominion isn’t quite the margin Hokies across the country we’re looking for. Kyron Drones was dominant as a rusher on Saturday, but completed just 15 of his 26 throws for 176 yards and threw a deflating interception in the endzone. Without sacks, the Monarchs’ third-string freshman quarterback, Quinn Henicle, rushed for 64 yards and a score.
Saturday’s game looked a lot like Virginia Tech’s previous three games — a mixed bag of results. However, there are a few things to be excited about:
Virginia Tech did not show up late on Saturday, especially on offense. Virginia Tech scored two touchdowns to start the game, and went eight plays for 40 yards before turning it over on downs on their third possession.
The Hokies’ defensive front turned up the heat on whoever was playing quarterback for Old Dominion. Antwaun Powell-Ryland registered four sacks and forced two fumbles. Kelvin Gilliam also registered his first sack of the season.
For the second straight week, Virginia Tech’s secondary put the opposing passing attack on lockdown. Old Dominion’s quarterbacks completed just six passes for 50 yards.
With the good, there was some bad:
Virginia Tech picked up several injuries in this game. Xavier Chaplain was hurt in warmups and did not play, Ali Jennings missed the entire second half with an injury, Keli Lawson came out with a lower body injury in the fourth quarter, and Bhayshul Tuten had to come out for several plays after getting banged up.
Big run plays kept the Monarchs in contention, especially in the first half. Tech allowed rushes of 65, 48, and 32 yards to Henicle and Duke, neither of whom are highly-regarded players.
The Hokies’ redzone offense has to be better. Tech scored touchdowns on just three possessions that reached the Old Dominion 27-yard-line or better. Scpring touchdowns on half of your redzone drives isn’t going to cut it against tougher competition.
Indeed, Saturday’s game gave Virginia Tech fans a little bit of everything on both ends of the spectrum. It was the closest thing to a complete game that the Hokies have played thus far, but the primary question remains — just how good is Virginia Tech?
Next week gives Tech the opportunity to answer that question. Rutgers is 2-0 and coming off a bye week, meaning Greg Schiano and his staff should have a leg up on Brent Pry and Co. Neither the Scarlet Knights nor the Hokies have beaten a Power 4 team this season, meaning next weekend’s game in Blacksburg should shed light on both of these programs.