Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from loss to Florida State

Entering their second straight ACC game Saturday afternoon at Doak Campbell Stadium against fifth-ranked Florida State, the Virginia Tech football team knew they were facing an uphill climb against not just the best team in the conference, but one of the best ones in the country.

Say what you will, but the Hokies looked intimidated from the opening kickoff and played like it in a 39-17 loss before making things respectable. Here are three takeaways as Tech falls to 2-4 in the 2023 season.

Virginia Tech found out quickly Florida State was not Pitt

For the first time in the Brent Pry era at Virginia Tech, the Hokies put together a complete performance in a 38-21 win over Pittsburgh past Saturday night at Lane Stadium. I know I’m not breaking any news here, but the Hokies quickly learned that the Seminoles are a different animal than anyone they’ve played this season.

Florida State’s team speed was on another level than the Hokies or Old Dominion, Purdue, Rutgers, Marshall, or Pittsburgh. Again, but that’s not breaking news. Their skilled position players made plays, quarterback Jordan Travis was electric with his feet and arm, and their defense was getting off the ball fast on Virginia Tech’s offensive line.

The good news for the Hokies is that the Seminoles are hands down the best team remaining on their schedule and they will not face a team with size and speed at nearly every position they have. They look like a legit National Championship team.

Florida State sent first quarter message to Virginia Tech

Talk about making a statement. Coming off a bye week following an overtime win at Clemson on Sept. 23, the Seminoles received the opening kickoff after Virginia Tech won the toss and kicked off.

Florida State used up 5:47 for the clock on the opening drive and went 75 yards on 15 plays that ended when Travis connected for a 7-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Wilson. On their next possession, Lawrence Toafilli scored on an impressive 28-yard run when he body-surfed over the Hokies’ defenders after being wrapped up and just breaking the goal line. Wilson hauled in his second touchdown pass of the quarter on an 18-yard reception.

First-quarter numbers for the Seminoles were impressive. They racked up 198 yards of offense (to just for Virginia Tech), scored a touchdown on all three drives and Travis threw for 98 yards. They did what they wanted whether it was on the ground or in the air against Chris Marve’s defense.

Virginia Tech forced a punt on Florida State’s fourth drive, but by then it was 22-0. You could tell that the bye week did them some good as they were ready for anything early on that Marve and his unit threw at them.

Hokies showed no quit against FSU

Trailing 22-0 after a first quarter in which they were dominated on both sides of the ball, Virginia Tech battled back in the second quarter and early in the third before falling to more talented Seminoles.

Running back Bhayshul Tuten had another strong game and quarterback Kyron Drones again performed well with his legs and had some impressive runs. After settling for a field goal in the second quarter, Tuten scored on a 5-yard run at the end of the half, then took the second-half kickoff back 99 yards to paydirt to bring Tech within 22-17. Florida State had too much speed and talent in the end, but the Hokies hung around longer than most thought they would have after the opening quarter.

In the third quarter, Virginia Tech lost safety Jalen Stroman to a targeting call, which means he will have to sit out the first half of next week’s home game against Wake Forest. Tuten took a heavy hit in the third quarter but was able to get up and walk off the field.

Getting out of Tallahassee without major injuries was key for the Hokies and it appears that they did somewhat. Their depth chart is limited after the amount of injuries they have had this season and after hosting the Demon Deacons next week, they get their much-needed bye week.