Hope and expectations were high for the Virginia Tech football team entering the 2024 season and after just one week, things already have taken a hit with a stunning season-opening 34-27 overtime loss at Vanderbilt. It was not the way the Hokies' fans envisioned the season beginning.
Yes, Vanderbilt is picked to finish last in the SEC, but for one week, the one voter who picked the Commodores to win the conference looks like a genius. This is shaping up to be a long week in Blacksburg for head coach Brent Pry and his staff as they prepare for their home opener against Marshall, let's hand out a report for Saturday's season-opener.
Virginia Tech report card against Vanderbilt
The game was played in Nashville and yet, it sounded and looked like a Hokies' game with the faithful who made the trip from Blacksburg. If there is one thing you can count on, it's that Virginia Tech fans travel and travel well. Very well done.
My goodness, it wasn't the way that Pry was hoping to begin the season. Questionable play-calling, failing to make adjustments on both sides of the ball, and then the topper being an unexcusable third-quarter penalty that led to three Vanderbilt points were the three biggest points in the game. Two players on the field with the same number is just inexcusable. There is no other way to put it.
Once again, John Love was money kicking for the Hokies drilling field goals from 40 and 38 yards and successfully making each extra point. Ali Jennings had one punt return of 17 yards and Peter Moore had three punts that totaled 139 yards. Another successful afternoon for the Hokies special teams.
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.
Virginia Tech Football vs. Vanderbilt: Grades for the Defense
In the first half, Vanderbilt's offensive line had its way with the new-look Hokies' defensive line as they did what they wanted with QB Diego Pavia and had no answer for him. Later in the game when Virginia Tech needed a stop, they couldn't get it late in the fourth quarter or overtime. Was it because they were tired from the Nashville heat? Probably, but a line as talented as Tech's should not be pushed around like they were by the Commodores.
The Hokies linebackers made their presence felt. Keli Lawson had nine tackles, seven solo, while Middle Tennessee State transfer Sam Brumfield was in on seven tackles. Jaden Keller blasted through a few times to make an impact and finished with five tackles. Keonta Jenkins also had five tackles.
It was not a good day for Mansoor Delane. Vanderbilt seemed to pick on him early with success and continued to throw at him with success throughout the game. One big bright spot was Mose Phillips who had seven tackles and made a noticeable impact. Jalen Stroman had five tackles and this unit needs to be better as they are going to face much more talented and explosive offenses this season.