Sometimes they don't ask how, but if and that's the way the Virginia Tech football team feels Saturday afternoon. The Hokies' offense struggled at times against a stout Georgia Tech defense, but their defense was outstanding and allowed them to secure a key ACC win over the Yellow Jackets.
The win improves Virginia Tech to 5-3 and moves them one game away from becoming bowl-eligible, but it also keeps their faint ACC Championship Game hopes alive as they improved to 3-1 in the conference. Here is some instant reaction from Hokies fifth win of 2024.
Instant reaction to Virginia Tech's win over Georgia Tech
- Virginia Tech's defense was good and made plays all afternoon long. They kept Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes contained and after Georgia Tech moved the ball downfield with four first downs on their opening drive, they made more and more plays. What also helped them was the Yellow Jackets dropping a lot of catchable balls in key moments.
- In the second half, the Hokies defense made some big plays. Keli Lawson had an interception that set the offense up in Georgia Tech territory, then Kenota Jenkins had a huge stop on 4th-and-1 deep in Virginia Tech territory. They ended up with three turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter alone.
- It wasn't the best day for Kyron Drones, but he accounted for all three Hokies touchdowns. In the second quarter, he connected with tight end Benji Gosnell for a touchdown pass, he caught a Jaylin Lane Philly Special pass for a touchdown, and then added a 1-yard third-quarter touchdown run.
- Virginia Tech's injuries continue to pile up along the offensive line. In the third quarter, Xavier Chaplin went down with an ankle injury. It was the second time in the game that he had to exit with an injury as he did in the first quarter, but he was able to return.
- Virginia Tech fans are holding their breath after Bhayshul Tuten went down with an ankle injury late in the game when the Hokies were trying to run out the clock. At the end of the game, Coley Harvey, the sideline reporter on the ACC Network broadcast reported Tuten walked into the x-ray area on his own. Fingers crossed.
Now the Hokies will begin the final third of their schedule at Syracuse next Saturday, but right now, all eyes are going to be on Tuten's health going forward.