Virginia Tech Football: 3 positives from loss at Rutgers
By Scott Roche
![Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) fakes a hand off as Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) and defensive lineman Kyonte Hamilton (48) pursue during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) fakes a hand off as Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) and defensive lineman Kyonte Hamilton (48) pursue during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/636ddbc9f098406b6b9a9fad1f9151a8b2a6db26f3a6f0821e43e8d670813289.jpg)
Kyron Drones played well in his first start for Virginia Tech
All week leading into the game, Pry never tipped his hand officially as to who was going to be the starting quarterback, however, the writing was on the wall. Starter Grant Wells was questionable with an ankle injury, but reports all week out of Blacksburg where he was limited and Baylor transfer Kyron Drones was getting a lot of the reps with the offense.
In the end, Drones started and truth be told, he played well despite the final score and should be under center again against Marshall this upcoming weekend. The sophomore was respectable 19-for-32 passing the ball for 190 yards and a nice touch pass to Da’Quan Felton in the third quarter for a 39-yard TD pass.
Drones showed his athleticism throughout the game, scrambling out of the pocket when he felt pressure, and ended up with 84 yards rushing on 22 attempts. A lot of that came from the option, but it also came from Rutgers pressure, which still recorded four sacks.
Yes, he had a bad handoff on the second play of the game that resulted in a fumble and Scarlet Knights recovery at the Hokies 19-yard line and he threw a second-quarter interception, but you can’t say the offense didn’t show more positive signs than the first two weeks, right?