Hokie ClubVirginia Tech football won its conference opener against Pitt 38-21 behind an impressive showcase by its offense and finished the game with some noteworthy stats.
For a deeper look at the numbers, view below.
Stats with Salas
Starting On A High Note
With his first pass in the game, Kyron Drones connected with Da'Quan Felton for a 54-yard touchdown with 10:51 to go in the first quarter. It was the first time Tech scored on the first pass of a game since Tyrod Taylor connected with Logan Thomas on a 2-yard pass against Wake Forest on Oct. 16, 2010. Not to be outdone, on the next offensive play, Phil Jurkovec found Bub Means for a 75-yard touchdown on his first pass of the game. It was the first time an opposing team scored a touchdown on their first pass of the game since Pitt's Nate Peterman threw a 23-yard touchdown to J.P. Holtz on Oct. 3, 2015. It's the first time both teams have scored a touchdown on their respective first pass of the game since at least 1987.
Let's Get It Started
For the second week in a row, the Hokies scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the game. It's the first time Tech has scored a touchdown on the opening drive in back-to-back games since the North Carolina and Georgia Tech games in 2018.
He Looks Familiar
Phil Jurkovec was just the fourth player to throw a pass against the Hokies for two different teams since 1987. Most recently, Bailey Hockman faced Tech in 2020 with NC State, then in 2021 with Middle Tennessee. Next on the list is Dominique Davis who played for Boston College in 2008 before transferring to East Carolina and facing the Hokies in 2010 and 2011. The first quarterback to face the Hokies for two different teams was Ryan Cubit. He was at Rutgers in 2001 and 2002, then at Western Michigan in 2004.
Defense Gets It Done
Tech's Lunch Pail Defense held the Panthers to just nine first downs. That's the fewest first downs allowed since allowing just eight first downs to Pitt in the 28-0 shutout in 2019.
They also held Pitt to just 46 plays in the game. That ties for third fewest plays allowed in a game since 1987. Virginia was held to 46 plays in 2008. The fewest plays allowed is 42 against Wake Forest in 2010 followed by 44 plays by Wofford in 2022 and Virginia in 2006.
Time Keeps on Slippin'
Following Pitt's punt to end the third quarter, the Hokies went on a 14-play, 77-yard, eight minute and 54 second drive down the field that ended in a John Love 32-yard field goal. The 8:54 time of possession on the scoring drive was the third longest scoring drive in Tech history since 1987. The longest was a 20-play, 95-yard, 9:46 touchdown drive in the third quarter against Duke in 2015. In second place was a 19-play, 64-yard, 9:27 drive that ended in a field goal against Wake Forest in 2019.
Let's Hear It For The Boy
A big congratulations to Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Famer and radio analyst Mike Burnop on his 500th consecutive football game broadcast this weekend. Everyone's favorite Buffet Buddy joined play-by-playman Jeff Charles on the Tech airwaves on September 10, 1983 as the Hokies hosted Wake Forest in Lane Stadium and hasn't missed a football game since. Here are a few stats to celebrate the accomplishment. Overall record: 320-177-3 (64.3%), Lane Stadium record: 185-66-2 (73.5%). He's seen 154 Atlantic Coast Conference games, 83 BIG EAST conference games, 83 different teams overall, 64 different teams in Lane, been to 59 different stadiums (including three baseball fields and a NASCAR racetrack), 54 different cities in 24 different states plus the District of Columbia. The top 5 teams he's seen play against the Hokies: Virginia (40 times), Miami (32), Boston College (31), West Virginia (26), Pitt (23). The team he's seen in the most different places - next week's opponent, Florida State. The Hokies have obviously played them in Lane Stadium and Doak Campbell Stadium, but also in the SuperDome in New Orleans, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Alltel Stadium, now EverBank Stadium, in Jacksonville and the former Florida Citrus Bowl, now Camping World Stadium, in Orlando.
The Streak Continues
The Hokies' 38 points scored against the Panthers marks the 362nd consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored, the fourth-longest active streak in the nation among FBS schools. The Hokies have now moved in to fifth place on the all-time list, surpassing the sixth place tie with BYU.
Tech Playmakers
Drones the Scoring Machine
In his third collegiate start, quarterback Kyron Drones executed Tech's offense to near perfection, helping in every aspect during the 38-21 rout of Pitt. Earning his first victory as a starter, the redshirt sophomore accounted for five touchdowns on Saturday evening. Drones and the Hokie offense came out swinging with a 54-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Da'Quan Felton in the first offensive possession. The Pearland, Texas native found further success slinging the ball, connecting with Bhayshul Tuten for a 12-yard score right before halftime and another 53-yard strike to Jaylin Lane. Drones' dual-threat skillset shined as he scored two additional touchdowns on the ground, rushing through the teeth of the defense and finding the endzone for a 2-yd and 10-yd score.
Bounce back Bhayshul
After three tough outings to start the season, North Carolina A&T transfer Bhayshul Tuten discovered more running lanes in the past two contests. The lead running back in offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen's system, Tuten truly showcased his potential as a runner, recording his first 100-yard rushing performance of the year. On 22 carries, he rushed for 109 yards against a formidable Panthers rushing defense. Averaging 4.5 yards per carry, the junior running back finished his 11th career game, in which he surpassed the century mark on the ground. Tuten's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield has also been an effective tool, scoring his second receiving touchdown of the year.
Welcome to Sacksburg
Tech's defense played very complementary football against Pitt, and it all started up front along the defensive line. The ability to create pressure on the quarterback played a significant role in limiting Pitt's ability to sustain drives. Accumulating four sacks and four QB hurries, the Hokies were causing mayhem all evening. Defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne built upon his performance at Marshall, registering 1.5 sacks and Florida transfer Antwaun Powell-Ryland forced another sack fumble. When the Hokies are able to generate pressure up front, they have won every contest this season in which they recorded at least four sacks.