If there was a fitting end to the 2025 season for the Virginia Tech football team, it was Saturday night at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. An up-and-down season that saw inconsistency all season long ended with a dud in a loss to Virginia.
The Hokies had a chance to knock their bitter rivals out of the ACC Championship Game, but they fell behind 14-0 at halftime and never got the offense going in the opening half to dig a hole that was too deep to climb out of. The Hokies finish the season 3-9, and now it's time to turn the page to the James Franklin era in Blacksburg. Here are five observations from their Commonwealth Clash loss.
Kyron Drones has fitting end to Virginia Tech career
First and foremost, the Hokies were missing running back Marcellous Hawkins and wide receiver Ayden Greene, both out with injuries. Still, that's where you need quarterback Kyron Drones to step up and make plays. He wasn't able to.
Yes, he threw some balls that should have been caught, but his decisions to tuck the ball and run at times were too late in being able to make something happen. The Hokies had six straight three-and-outs and would have had a seventh if it wasn't for a Drones pick.
Philip Montgomery deserves credit for holding the team together
It can't be said enough that, after Brent Pry was fired, interim coach Philip Montgomery deserves a ton of credit for keeping this team together. Each game, regardless of the result, the Hokies showed up and played hard and played prepared. After Week 3, effort was never a question.
We never have to see the Hokies commit a penalty again this year
If there is one reason to be glad this season is over, it's that we don't have to watch Virginia Tech get flagged on what seemed like every play. Undisciplined football at times, and some costly penalties against Virginia, affected the field position. Let's not forget the head-scratching decision to run the opening kickoff out and start at the 6-yard line.
This was the worst Virginia Tech team in a long time
For a number of reasons, this was a bad Virginia Tech team. Whether it's because of Pry's firing and the players entering the Transfer Portal, or injuries, or just roster construction, this wasn't a very good team. Truth be told, Franklin has his work cut out for himself in rebuilding the roster. Virginia fans are going to thump their chest for beating the Hokies, and rightfully so, but this was a bad team. Enjoy it this year because they won't be this bad again under Franklin.
Jeffrey Overton, Jr. must be retained
I'm not sure Franklin needed much time to evaluate the Hokies roster he's being left, but again, true freshman Jeffrey Overton, Jr. should be at the top of the retention list. He popped the biggest play for the offense in the first quarter with a 31-yard run. Marcellous Hawkins is another running back who should be retained. There are some other players, but Overton has impressed enough.