Looking to pick up a statement win before ACC play begins, it was more of the same for the Virginia Tech football team. Another slow start in the first half, an early deficit of multiple scores and a late rally only to come up short in a 26-23 loss to Rutgers.
Through four weeks, the Hokies sit at 2-2 as ACC play begins Friday night at Miami. Things are only going to get harder for Brent Pry and his team as a cross-country trip to Stanford follows before a bye week and who knows what Virginia Tech's record will be. Before ACC play begins, let's grade the Hokies for their latest result against the Scarlet Knights.
Virginia Tech football report card vs. Rutgers
Once again, Virginia Tech fans sold out Lane Stadium and they get an A+ for sticking things out until the fourth quarter when the Hokies rallied to tie the game. In the end, however, it wasn't enough as even Virginia Tech fans at home were stunned.
Another game where the Hokies started slow, looked unprepared and in the end, were outcoached. It seems like it takes too long for offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen to find a rhythm with the offense while the defense keeps getting hurt by the same play. It's taking just way too long each week for adjustments to be made.
So after getting a stop defensively, the Hokies forced a punt, but a fumble on the return just adds to another week of mistakes by the special teams unit. Jaylin Lane did make up for that with a big return in the second half, but mistakes in special teams right now are compounding matters for Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech offensive report card vs. Rutgers
Kyron Drones finished 13-for-27 for 137 yards through the air with a late-game pick off a tipped ball. He finished with 60 yards on the ground including a big 33-yard run that set up a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Once again, he was flushed multiple times as it was another tough night for the line.
It was another strong game for Bhayshul Tuten. He had all three touchdowns and finished with 122 yards on 15 carries. He used his speed to get to the outside multiple times and outran the defense to the end zone twice. The offense is better when No. 33 is running the ball like he did against Rutgers.
Drones spread the wealth around with his wide receivers with Lane, Da'Quan Felton, Stephen Gosnell, and Ayden Greene. Some drops should have been caught while Gosnell hauled in a huge two-point conversion. Ayden Greene had a nice catch and run in the fourth quarter. No Ali Jennings hurt again.
Benji Gosnell caught four passes for 19 yards and had a two-point conversion catch in the fourth quarter. Later in the quarter, he had a nice block to spring Tuten for a huge gain inside the 5-yard line to set up a touchdown.
The woes for the offensive continue to show its ugly head. Drones was under pressure all afternoon and it hit its worst point late in the second quarter when Drones had his foot stepped on which forced a Rutgers safety for a nine-point halftime deficit. If the offensive line woes aren't addressed quickly, things could get worse than it is now.
Virginia Tech defense report card vs. Rutgers
It might have looked bad for the Hokies defensive line, but it was better than it looked. They dealt a tough hand with the fumble on the punt return, but after the opening second-half drive, they buckled down and kept them in the game. They had some tackles for losses. They were hardly a problem.
Caleb Woodson led the second level with 10 tackles, four for losses and Sam Brumfield was active all game, Jaden Keller finished with nine tackles and Kaleb Spencer made some big plays. In the overall big picture, they didn't play badly, but a few breakdowns turned into big plays for the Scarlet Knights.
It was another strong game for Mose Phillips with a team-high 11 tackles, while Jaylen Jones and Mansoor Delane played well. There was a rather questionable call on Delane in the fourth quarter for pass interference. They did force a turnover on the goal line and were part of a turnover on downs later in the game.