Virginia Tech football earned its third conference win of the season after a complementary team performance against Syracuse. The Hokies led the entire outing beating the Orange 38-10 and finished the game with some noteworthy stats.
For a deeper look at the numbers, view below.
Stats with Salas
1989 (Tech's Version)
Offensive Coordinator Tyler Bowen wasted no time in pulling out some trick plays during the game. On just the fourth snap from scrimmage, Kryon Drones threw the ball backwards to WR Jaylin Lane who then threw the ball downfield to Bhayshul Tuten coming up just short of his target. On Tech's next drive of the game, Drones tosses the ball back to RB Malachi Thomas who then passes to Da'Quan Felton for a 16 yard touchdown. The last time Tech had a wide receiver and a running back both throw a pass in a game was against Florida State on October 14, 1989. In that game RB Tony Kennedy was 1-for-2 for 6 yards and WR Kevin Bennett threw one pass for a 32-yard touchdown.
The last non-quarterback to throw for a touchdown in a game was WR Tayvion Robinson against Virginia in 2021. The last running back to throw the ball for a touchdown was Sam Rogers against Miami in 2016.
Welcome To Sacksburg
Tech's defense continues to shine picking up eight sacks in the game against Syracuse. Combined with the seven sacks against Wake Forest, this gives the Hokies 15 sacks in the last two games. The last time the defense came up with a 15 sack total in back-to-back games was against Pitt and West Virginia in 1999. Coming into the Wake Forest game, Tech's defense had 15 sacks on the season, so they have now doubled that number in just two games. The 30 sack total ties for the most sacks through the first eight games of the season since Tech joined the ACC in 2004.
The eight sacks in the game were the most since the Miami game in 2016 - also eight. The record for most sacks in a game since 1987 is nine against PItt in 1999.
End Game
Tech held Syracuse to 43 plays in the game which was the second fewest played by an opponent since 1987. In 2010, the Hokies held Wake Forest to 42 plays. As a result, Tech held the ball for 41:42 of the 60 minute game. That's the longest time of possession in a game for the Hokies since 1987.
Red
The Hokies were a perfect 6-for-6 in the redzone scoring two touchdowns and four field goals. It was the first time since 2019 against Wake Forest that Tech was perfect in the redzone with at least six trips inside the 20 yard line. In that game Tech scored four touchdowns and three field goals.
The Last Time
The last time Kyron Drones threw an interception was at Rutgers on his 15th pass of the game. Since then he has thrown 151 passes without an interception. This breaks Sean Glennon's streak of 149 passes set in 2007 from the LSU game to the ACC Championship game against Boston College.
Scoring
Thursday night was the first time Tech scored on the first six drives of the game since Frank Beamer's final game in 2015 against Tulsa. In the Independence Bowl, the Hokies scored on their first seven drives of the game. Since 1987 there's only one other time Tech scored on the first six or more drives of the game and that was against Florida A&M in 2004 when they scored on the first eight drives.
Conversions
Syracuse attempted nine 3rd down conversions in the game and were stopped each time. It's the fourth time since 1987 that an opponent did not convert on third down and the first since the Tech defense held Duke to 0/11 in 2013.
Neither team attempted a 4th down conversion for the first time since the Hokies faced Notre Dame in 2021.
The Streak Continues
The Hokies' 38 points scored against the Orange marks the 365th consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored, the fourth-longest active streak and is now tied for the fourth-longest all-time in the nation among FBS schools. Michigan had a streak of 365 games from 1984-2014.
Tech Playmakers
Can't Miss with Love
Redshirt freshman John Love has been impeccable this season when his number is called. Primarily handling field goal duties, Love has helped Tech put points on the board when they can reach the red zone or sustain drives when backed up on its side of the field. Finding success in all three phases against Syracuse, special teams on Thursday was lifted immensely by Love's five field goal performance. The Spartanburg, South Carolina native connected on field goals from 43, 32, 39, 24 and 31 yards, respectively. Going perfect from the field in a crucial conference matchup is a huge boon for Love's confidence, and his consistency is just a reflection of his accuracy through 2023. Through eight games, Love has converted 15 of 17 field goal attempts with a season-long of 43 yards, which came on Thursday night. With Love's consistent performance on special teams, Tech's constantly improving offense will be awarded more opportunities to put points on the board as they continue to fight its way to a bowl game.
Felton the Deep Threat
Quarterback Kyron Drones has plenty of arm strength to sling the pigskin down the field, and having a 6-foot-5, 215-pound wide receiver in Da'Quan Felton is a massive target when throwing downfield. In his first season as a Hokie after transferring from Norfolk State, Felton has put his ability to be a vertical threat on full display multiple times this season. The redshirt senior showcased his straight-line speed against Syracuse, outrunning his defender for a 62-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Thursday's touchdown against the Orange was eerily similar to the 54-yard touchdown connection against Pitt in the Hokies' previous home game. Felton also recorded his first two-touchdown performance while donning the maroon and orange, scoring on the 16-yard touchdown pass from running back Malachi Thomas.
Double-headed Monster
Running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Malachi Thomas had very impressive performances against Syracuse's defensive front on Thursday night. Tuten registered his second game of the season, eclipsing 100 yards rushing, while Thomas contributed another 87 yards on the ground. In recent weeks, the running back tandem has been dynamic for Tech's offense, and their performance against the Orange was nothing short of impactful. As mentioned above, Thomas contributed a 16-yard passing touchdown, and Tuten added a score of his own on the ground. Tuten's three-yard score marked the third straight contest the junior tailback has recorded a rushing touchdown. Thomas, on the other hand, registered his first touchdown accounted for in the 2023 season and has shown steady improvement throughout the year after coming off a season-ending injury that cut his 2022 campaign short. The Hartwell, Georgia native has averaged 5.58 yards per carry over 39 attempts in the past four contests.