BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football set some new numbers statistics-wise Saturday against Syracuse in its 41-36 setback at Lane Stadium. You can view those tidbits below.
STATS WITH SALAS
True Freshman Shines
Malachi Thomas became the first true freshman since 1987 to score three rushing touchdowns in a game. Then-redshirt freshman Ryan Williams had three games in 2009 (Marshall, NC State, Virginia) of scoring three or more rushing TDs and Tommy Edwards' three against Pitt in 1993 mark the only redshirt freshmen running backs on record to do the feat since 1987.
Thomas also became the first to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season, with his 151 yards on 21 carries.
BeamerBall Makes An Appearance During The Throwback Game
With 1:54 remaining until halftime and Syracuse looking to tie the game at 14, Chamarri Conner recorded the first blocked kick of his career when he blocked an extra point attempt by 2018 Lou Groza winner Andre Szmyt. The blocked kick was picked up by Dorian Strong, who took it to the house for the defensive two-point conversion.
The blocked extra point attempt was the the first for the special teams unit since Dadi Nicolas blocked a Michael Badgley kick attempt against Miami in 2014 in Lane Stadium. The ball was picked up by Donovan Riley, but his return attempt for two points failed.
The last time the Hokies blocked an extra point kick and returned it to the house was against East Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte in 2018. John Graves picked up the first blocked kick of his career and Stephen Virgil got the scoop and score. Graves would go on to block a field goal attempt by Furman and another extra point by Georgia Tech in the next two games.
More Special Teams
Tech's special teams unit extended its nation-leading streak of 225 consecutive made extra points, dating back to Oct. 20, 2016 vs. Miami. The NCAA record is 304 straight extra points set in 2019 by Auburn.
Scorigami
The 41-36 final score was a Virginia Tech scorigami. Scorigami is the art of building final scores that have never happened before. More information on scorigami. The score was the 13th such score in FBS scorigami history and first since 2016.
Uniform Tracker
The Hokies wore maroon helmets, maroon jerseys and white pants for the second time this season.
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants | Date | Opponent | Location | Result | 2021 Record | Record since 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | Orange | Orange | Sept. 3, 2021 | North Carolina | Blacksburg, Va. | W, 17-10 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| White | White | White | Sept. 11, 2021 | Middle Tennessee | Blacksburg, Va. | W, 35-14 | 1-0 | 17-8 |
| Maroon | White | Maroon | Sept. 18, 2021 | West Virginia | Morgantown, W.Va. | L, 21-27 | 0-1 | 34-30 |
| Maroon | Maroon | White | Sept. 25, 2021 | Richmond | Blacksburg, Va. | W, 21-10 | 1-0 | 120-41 |
| Maroon | Maroon | Maroon | Oct. 9, 2021 | Notre Dame | Blacksburg, Va. | L, 29-32 | 0-1 | 16-15 |
| White | Maroon | White | Oct. 16, 2021 | Pitt | Blacksburg, Va. | L, 28-7 | 0-1 | 8-1 |
| Maroon | Maroon | White | Oct. 23, 2021 | Syracuse | Blacksburg, Va. | L, 36-41 | 1-1 | 120-42 |