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Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from dominating win over Pittsburgh

By Scott Roche

Sep 30, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball for a touchdown against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back A.J. Woods (9) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball for a touchdown against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back A.J. Woods (9) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /

Virginia Tech responds well to adversity in the second half

After punting the ball on the first possession of the second half, the Virginia Tech defense forced a fumble and recovered it at the Pittsburgh 9-yard line when Mario Kendricks wrapped up Pittsburgh quarterback Phil Jurkovec and Antwaun Powell-Ryland punched the ball out and was awarded the recovery.

Drones ended up scoring on a 10-yard run for a 28-7 lead. The Panthers responded with a touchdown of their own to cut the deficit to 14 points before disaster struck. Drones fumbled the ball on the ensuing Hokies possession which the Panthers returned for a touchdown to make it 28-21 with just 10 minutes remaining in the quarter.

With 25 minutes left in the game, it was going to be a big moment to see how the sophomore quarterback would respond to adversity. Well, he responded very well.

He settled down and managed the rest of the game very well for just his third career start. He stood in the pocket and threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Lane. After the Virginia Tech defense got a stop and forced a punt to end the third quarter, Drones led a drive that led to a field goal for a three-score lead. The drive used up more than half the clock in the final quarter. Big test passed by Drones.

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