Hokie ClubVirginia Tech football earned its second conference win of the season after a complementary team performance against Wake Forest. The Hokies led the entire outing beating the Demon Deacons 30-13 and finished the game with some noteworthy stats.
For a deeper look at the numbers, view below.
Stats with Salas
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Although there was a lot of cloud cover around Lane Stadium, at just around 2 p.m. ET was the height of an annual solar eclipse in the Northern Hemisphere. Annularity, where the Sun forms a 'ring of fire' around the Moon, was visible along a narrow path that crossed the United States from Oregon to Texas. Here in the New River Valley the Sun was covered at around 40%. This was the first time a solar eclipse has occurred on the same day as a Virginia Tech football game.
No Offensive Touchdowns
Wake Forest's 96-yard kickoff return was their lone touchdown in the game. The last time an opponent didn't score a touchdown on offense, but did on special teams or defense and lost the game was Rutgers in the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl. In that game, the Scarlet Knights scored on a fumble return and a field goal.
Drone Strike
Kyron Drones finished the game with 59 rushing yards and 321 passing yards. The last time a Tech quarterback rushed for more than 50 and passed for more than 300 in a game was Jerod Evans against Georgia Tech on Nov. 12, 2016. In that game, Evans had 75-yards rushing and 316-yards passing.
APR Shines
Antwaun Powell-Ryland entered the game with three sacks on the season, two against Old Dominion and one against Pitt. The Florida transfer from Portsmouth, Va. picked up four sacks against the Demon Deacons tying the school records held by J.C. Price (Miami, 1995), Morgan Roane (William & Mary, 1985) & Bruce Smith (William & Mary, 1984 and Duke, 1983). APR also picked up 4.5 tackles for loss which ties the most TFLs in a game since 1987 with Woody Barron (Miami, 2016) and Barry Booker (Virginia, 2007).
The Lunch Pail D's 13.0 tackles for loss where the most since picking up 14.0 against Florida State in Tallahassee on Sept. 3, 2018. The only other time since 1987 that Tech has had at least 13 TFLs and 7 sacks in a game was when they picked up 16 TFLs and 7 sacks against Wake Forest in the 3-6 2 OT loss on Nov. 22, 2014.
Homecoming History
The Hokies celebrated Homecoming in Lane Stadium on Saturday. It was the 96th Homecoming celebration which started back in 1926. The Hokies are now 69-23-4 all-time in the annual event. While it's usually celebrated during a game in October, the earliest Homecoming was held on Sept. 23, 1989 vs. Temple. The latest Homecoming was on Nov. 17, 1934 vs. Virginia.
The Streak Continues
The Hokies' 30 points scored against the Demon Deacons marks the 364th consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored, the fourth-longest active streak and fifth-longest all-time in the nation among FBS schools.
Tech Playmakers
Show the kicker some Love
Field goals can make a huge difference in a game's momentum. Sustaining a drive that results in points provides a boost of confidence for the offense and defense. Essentially, every coach wants to score a touchdown on every offensive possession, but they also realize the impact three points can make over the course of the game. Head coach Brent Pry had to rely consistently on kicker John Love in the 30-13 victory over Wake Forest. The redshirt freshman had his most active game of the season and converted 3-of-4 field goal attempts on Saturday afternoon. Overall, the 17-point margin of victory makes Love's contribution seem lesser from an optics perspective. Yet the Spartanburg, South Carolina native field goals came at the end of Tech's three longest drives of the game. After missing a 48-yard attempt to open the second quarter, Love made each of his following kicks, the first of which was a 37-yard field goal following a 9-play drive to give the Hokies a 10-0 lead in the second. He then followed it up with a 26-yard chip shot to cap off a 13-play drive, which took nearly six and a half minutes of possession time, and a 36-yarder after an 8-play drive in the fourth. Love's consistency can be a big plus for Tech going forward as the offense continues to mature during the season
Fast Lane to the Endzone
Wide receiver Jaylin Lane has made a name for himself inside Lane Stadium with his performances in 2023. The Middle Tennessee State transfer has scored a touchdown in every home game this season. This past Saturday, he made a significant mark during the win over Wake Forest. Lane recorded his first 100-yard receiving game as a Hokie and added his first two touchdown performance to the list of accolades as well. Hauling in three receptions for 102 yards, the senior wideout averaged 34 yards per catch, and it all started with an electric 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter, outracing everyone to the end zone. Lane's touchdown had fans erupting with excitement, and he recreated that same passion within Hokie Nation by scoring on a 12-yarder from Kyron Drones with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter, putting a stamp on Tech's victory. The Clover, South Carolina native has been a touchdown machine in Blacksburg and scored all five of his touchdowns this season at home.
No Fly Zone
Tech's defense had a dominant performance against the Demon Deacons, and it was kickstarted by a sideline toe-tap interception by cornerback Derrick Canteen. The Georgia Southern transfer had one of his most impressive outings coverage-wise in 2023 on Saturday. Finishing with his second-highest defensive grade of the season (72.9), according to Pro Football Focus, Canteen was tested the most in coverage against Wake Forest. He was targeted seven times, allowing only two receptions for just 25 yards, and recorded his first interception in maroon and orange on the play described above. The Evans, Georgia native also notched two pass breakups, helping Tech's defense in one of its best performances to date