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Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from loss to Rutgers

By Scott Roche

Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half in front of Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Dorian Strong (44) at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half in front of Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Dorian Strong (44) at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) rolls out during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) rolls out during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

The offense didn’t finish early in the game

In the end, Drones started over Wells and the transfer played well. In fact, the case could be made that he outplayed Wimsatt in the first half, with the difference being turnovers and Rutgers taking advantage with some big plays.

In the first half, the Hokies had the ball for 20 minutes and Rutgers just 10, but the Hokies trailed 21-3. Go figure. Down 7-0 in the first quarter, John Love missed a chip shot field goal, before making his second chance in the second quarter, this one from 30 yards.

Virginia Tech was adjusting to a new quarterback, but Drones played with confidence, and that showed in the third quarter on a 39-yard touchdown pass to Da’Quan Felton. Four plays earlier, Felton had a step on his defender and dropped the ball. On the TD pass, Drones threw a perfect ball to the 10-yard line to a wide-open Felton who scampered untouched to the end zone.

Would scoring a few more times in the first half turn the game into a win for the Hokies? Probably not, but not capitalizing, and the Scarlet Knights having the ball for just 10 minutes in the half and scoring with four seconds left gave them a lot of momentum heading into halftime.