Instant reaction after Virginia Tech blows out Old Dominion

The Virginia Tech football team came out of the gate offensively on fire for the first time this season. Two drives in the first quarter and two touchdowns. Then, well, welcome back the first half Hokies. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead after their first two drives, Tech's offense went back into their first-half struggles and only led 14-10 at halftime. Fortunately, the second-half Hokies showed up for a third straight game.

Virginia Tech's second half's against Vanderbilt and Marshall had been much better than their first half. That was the case again Saturday night as Brent Pry's team dominated the final 30 minutes to a non-conference win on the road in Norfolk.

Instant reaction from Virginia Tech's win over Old Dominion

It wasn't pretty after the first two drives for the Hokies and frankly, they were lucky to be up 14-10 at the break. A turnover on downs deep in ODU territory, a missed field goal, back-to-back drives, and long runs for the Monarchs led to 10 points. To the credit of Tech's defense, then bent in the second quarter, but didn't break. Holding them to a field goal before the half was big.

The defense came out and set the tone in the third quarter and Antwaun Powell-Ryland forced and recovered a fumble that led to a John Love field goal. Mansoor Delane added an interception that led to a touchdown as Virginia Tech's offense scored 23 unanswered points to build a 34-10 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Ali Jennings was injured in his return to Old Dominion and did not play in the second half, but between Kyron Drones, who went over 100 yards rushing, Tuten, Malachi Thomas, and backup QB Collin Schlee in the final eight minutes ran out the clock. P.J. Prioleau and Jeremiah Coney also got some action as well, which was good to see. Tuten finished with 115 yards rushing, two behind Drones, and a pair of touchdowns. Jaylin Lane had 106 yards receiving and a 25-yard TD catch on Virginia Tech's first drive of the game.

Overall, there was a lot of good and some bad, but the Hokies are 2-1 heading into next weekend's home game against Rutgers before ACC play begins. It's going to be a big week in terms of preparing for the 2-0 Scarlet Knights.