The 2024 Virginia Tech football season didn't go as planned. With aspirations of being a darkhorse for the new 12-team College Football Playoff, the Hokies finished 6-6 after a 37-17 win over Virginia to become bowl-eligible and a berth in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3 against Minnesota.
Since the Hokies were last on the field Thanksgiving Weekend, a lot has happened with head coach Brent Pry firing three assistant coaches incuding defensive coordinator Chris Marve. Several players have entered the transfer portal and found new homes for 2025, while Virginia Tech has had some players commit to the portal. With the bowl game still nine days away in 2025, let's look at some stats that stuck out for the 2024 season.
5 one-score losses
By now, you know the deal if you have been paying attention. Five of the six losses were by one score and just imagine if the one-score games had the opposite results. All five of them could be considered frustrating losses with a home loss to Clemson in November being the only double-digit setback. What all the losses by one score had in common was a failure to get stops defensively late in games.
16 Antwaun Powell-Ryland sacks
What a season for Antwaun Powell-Ryland. The Florida transfer had 16 sacks including a pair of four-sack games against Old Dominion and Boston College. His sacks totaled 102 yards which is crazy if you think about it. He was on NFL scout's radars, but his stock rose big time during the season and it'll be fun to see where he's drafted in April.
143 tackles combined for linebackers Jaden Keller and Caleb Woodson
Last week, linebackers Jaden Keller and Caleb Woodson announced that they are returning for 2025. This season, they were arguably two of the Hokies' better linebackers. They combined for 143 tackles, 76 by Keller and 67 by Woodson. Getting both players back next season and if they can stay healthy, they can solidify the second level for Tech.
57-yard John Love field goal
One area where the Hokies have been very good is the kicking game. Punter Peter Moore was one of the better punters in the ACC and John Love has a big leg and he put it on display on Sept. 27 at Miami. Right before halftime, he drilled a 57-yard field goal in what was a 38-34 loss to the Hurricanes after the Hail Mary touchdown on the game's final play was overturned by video review.
1,562 Kyron Drones passing yards
Quarterback Kyron Drones missed three of the final four games with multiple injuries, he was on his way to at least a 2,000 passing yard season, but he had to settle for 1,562 before his injuries. The good news is that Drones and Pop Watson are both coming back for 2025 giving Virginia Tech stability at the quarterback position.
497 Stephen Gosnell receiving yards
Stephen Gosnell edged out Jaylin Lane with 497 receiving yards to lead the team, but when a big catch was needed, it seemed like offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen went his way. Gosnell finished with just one touchdown reception, but again, he made some clutch catches. He practiced last week and hopefully, he'll play one more time for the Hokies against the Golden Gophers.
1,159 Bhayshul Tuten rushing yards & 15 touchdowns
North Carolina A&T transfer Bhayshul Tuten was quite the addition two years ago in the portal. This season he broke out with 1,159 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, including two in the win over Virginia. Hokies fans won't forget his 266-yard and four-touchdown performance in October in a 42-21 rout of Boston College on a Thursday night. Like Powell-Ryland, he's going to hear his name called in Green Bay in April in the NFL Draft.