Virginia Tech football report card from ugly loss at Vanderbilt

Virginia Tech Football vs. Vanderbilt: Grades for Offense

Kyron Drones did everything he could to keep the offense in the game, he just wasn't calling plays. He was 22-for-33 passing for 322 yards with two second-half touchdowns and one interception on a tipped ball in the first quarter. He was injured later in the fourth quarter and that forced Collin Schlee to come in for three of the four overtime possessions and the UCLA transfer struggled.

It was not the best day running the ball for the Hokies who had just 75 total yards on 30 carries. It was a mixture of the offensive line and play-calling, but they were never able to get the running game going. Bhayshul Tuten had 34 yards on nine carries with his biggest run on a 24-yard scamper for a third-quarter touchdown.

When your best athletes are on the outside and can make plays, you have to try and get them the ball more than Virginia Tech did. They barely threw the ball past the line of scrimmage early and when they finally threw the ball downfield in the second half, good things happened. Jennings had just two catches, including a 62-yard touchdown pass. Stephen Gosnell had 72 receiving yards and Jaylin Lane had 62 on four receptions.

Benji Gosnell was the only tight end with a reception and he had four of them for 61 yards, but he dropped a sure third-quarter touchdown (Tuten later scored on the drive) when he was wide open.

It was not a great day for a veteran line. They struggled with pass protection in the first half and a Vanderbilt linebacker went unblocked which led to a tipped interception with Drones throwing off of his back foot to avoid a sack. If the Hokies are going to be successful this season, running the ball is a must and it starts with the line opening holes better.