Virginia Tech Football: Instant reaction from dominating win over BC

If there was a must-win situation for the 2023 Virginia Tech football team, it was Saturday afternoon at Boston College. The Eagles entered the game at 6-3, but they were not your typical 6-3 ACC team. To compound matters for BC coach Jeff Hafley, running back Pat Garwo missed the, and at kickoff, it was announced that Kye Robichaux was going to be out and that left quarterback Thomas Castellanos without his top two running backs.

Virginia Tech took full advantage of the absence of the Eagles’ two backs and played their best first half on the road of the Brent Pry era by putting up 31 points on their way to a 31-7 halftime lead and closing the half with 28 unanswered points on their way to an impressive 48-22 win.

In the second half, the Hokies were able to continue to control the ball and get a lot of players some time on the road and experience. Grant Wells and Pop Watson were both able to get some reps under center in the final quarter.

Instant reaction from Virginia Tech’s win at Boston College

Here are quick thoughts on the Hokies win at evens their record at 5-5.

• The Hokies set the tone right away and proved that they were not messing around. Two interceptions of Castellanos by Dorian Strong led to 10 points and an onside kick in the first quarter completely stunned the Eagles. It felt like we were watching “Beamer Ball” again. Good to see.
• It’s amazing how good the offense can be staying ahead of the chains, and not having pre-snap penalties or sacks pile up. Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen had his best game-calling plays on the road this season.
• What a first half by the offense. They piled up 340 yards, 158 rushing and 182 passing. Kyron Drones racked up 286 of those yards.
• Virginia Tech’s offensive line was dominating the BC defensive line. Drones, Bhayshul Tuten, or whoever ran the ball, there were big gaps all afternoon long.
• All the breaks went the Hokies way. None bigger than at the end of the first half. Getting the ball at their 15-yard line, instead of taking a knee, Bowen got aggressive and they moved the ball to midfield, but third and long, Drones was attempting to throw a quick pass to the flat and the ball slipped out of hands. He was able to beat three Eagles’ to the ball at the Tech 40 and avoid a costly turnover before the half.
• Virginia Tech got the ball to start the second half and went 75 yards for a Tuten touchdown run, his third of the game, that ate up 6:10 off the clock. Ball control was great all day.
• If there was one negative, it was with the kicking game. No, not place-kicker John Love or punter Peter Moore, but with Kyle Lowe and his kickoffs. Twice his kickoffs went out of bounds and gave the BC the ball 35-yard line. Boston College drove down the field for the first time for a touchdown. It’s something small, but something to keep an eye on going forward. You can’t give opponents good field position that way.
• Grant Wells played the fourth quarter for Drones and ripped off a 58-yard run, but fumbled the ball out of the end zone, which gave the ball to Boston College.

It was a game that was desperately needed for the Hokies. They played a dominating first half like they did against Pittsburgh and Syracuse earlier this season at home. Now they have two opportunities over the next two weeks to become bowl-eligible, beginning next weekend at home against North Carolina State.