Virginia Tech Football: Bhayshul Tuten update is a sigh of relief for fans

In the second half of Virginia Tech’s 39-17 loss to Florida State last Saturday, Hokies’ fans held their breath when running back Bhayshul Tuten took a huge hit on a swing pass. Fortunately, the North Carolina A&T transfer was able to get to the sideline, but it was a heavy hit by a Seminoles defensive back.

Tuten did not immediately return to the game and it left fans thinking, “Oh no, here we go again’’ with another injury to a key piece of the offense. It appears that the Hokies dodged a major injury to Tuten.

Bhayshul Tuten returned to practice ahead of Wake Forest

Second-year head coach Brent Pry said this week that the reason for limited playing for Tuten following the hit against Florida State was because he was cramping. Talk about a sigh of relief.

Tuten had a major impact on the game before the hit and cramping. He scored on a 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, then he took the opening kickoff of the second half 99 yards to paydirt to bring Virginia Tech within 22-17 of the Seminoles. He was rewarded for his effort by being named ACC Special Teams Player of the Week.

As good teams do, FSU answered with a pair of long touchdown runs to pull for the ACC victory, but as the second half went on after the big hit, the attention turned to Tuten, who was shown multiple times on the bench when Virginia Tech had the ball.

Injuries have hit early and hard on both sides of the ball, but the Hokies have had key injuries to starting quarterback Grant Wells and transfer wide receiver Ali Jennings. Both were injured in the second game of the season against Purdue at Lane Stadium. Kyron Drones has settled in nicely in place of Wells, especially in the last two weeks. Jaylin Lane has picked up some of the slack recently in Jennings’ absence, but the last thing the Hokies needed was another injury to a skilled position player on offense, but Tuten was a full participant in practice Wednesday night.

Tuten will be back in the backfield Saturday against Wake Forest in a game that is a must-win if Virginia Tech has visions of becoming Bowl-eligible following their bye week.