Virginia Tech Football: 3 dominating performances against Syracuse

It was another dominating all-around effort for the Virginia Tech football team Thursday night in a 38-10 win over Syracuse at Lane Stadium. In the win, several different players stepped up, but here are three players who had a big role in the victory.

Bhayshul Tuten

It was clear early in the game that the Hokies were going to establish the run once again. Things started well for the North Carolina A&T transfer, but he left with an injury but returned and Virginia Tech is glad he did as he put the finishing touches on a strong first half with a touchdown.

Bhayshul Tuten finished with 118 yards rushing of the Hokies’ 318 in the game, he had a touchdown and returned after he exited the game at the end of the first quarter when he closed the quarter on a 10-yard run and limped off the field. He did not return to begin the second quarter to finish off the drive, but he returned for the next drive. It was his most impressive game hitting the holes and beating the defenders to the outside and getting upfield. He continues to get better and better each game in the last month.

Kyron Drones

The first few throws for quarterback Kyron Drones were not pretty as he overthrew his receivers and on his first throw, he missed a wide-open Stepehn Gosnell in an underneath route who plenty of green grass in front of him. As the game went along, he got better and connected with Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane for some big plays.

Drones finished 15-for-24 for 194 yards through the air and a 62-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to Felton. Later in the quarter, he hit Jaylin Lane for 41 yards down to the Orange 10-yard line, which set up Tuten’s touchdown run. Drones also finished with 65 yards rushing on eight carries. It was a slow start, but once he got going, he was tough to stop in the opening half.

Antwaun Powell-Ryland

It was another dominating performance from the Hokies defense and at the center of it again was Florida transfer Antwaun Powell-Ryland. He finished with four tackles, three solo, and two sacks. He spearheaded a group that recorded eight sacks on Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader and did not allow an Orange first down until the second quarter. Dominating doesn’t begin to describe the performance on that side of the ball.

Overall, Virginia Tech is back at 4-4 and the dream of becoming bowl-eligible is still alive. Things get tougher with three out of the final four games on the road, but if there is anything the 2023 Hokies have taught us, anything is possible.