Virginia Tech Football: 5 things we learned from win over Syracuse

Virginia Tech’s defense remains dominant at home

In reality, in the four ACC games, the Hokies have not played good in two of the 16 quarters. In the other 14, they have been good and, at Lane Stadium, they have been dominant. That continued against Syracuse.

A big reason for them not allowing any positive rushing yards was because of the eight sacks they recorded. Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader is a tough QB to bring down, but the Hokies had little problem in doing so. They even forced a safety in the third quarter.

Syracuse did not pick up a first down until the second quarter and scored their only touchdown of the game in the third quarter on a drive where they were finally able to move the ball and have success throwing it. Following that drive, the Hokies’ defense shut them down the rest of the game with relentless pressure from their defensive line.

Now they need to translate the success at home to the road against Louisville and Boston College. In their three previous road games, the defense has struggled getting off the field on third downs and giving up too many big plays. That can’t happen against the Cardinals and Eagles.