Hokie ClubVirginia Tech football dropped its first conference road game against Florida State 39-17, but in the midst of defeat, the Hokies finished the game with some noteworthy stats.
For a deeper look at the numbers, view below.
Stats with Salas
Edge of Seventeen
The Hokies scored 17 points against Florida State on Saturday. It's the third time this season Tech has scored exactly 17 points in a game, tying the record for most games in a season scoring exactly 17 points. Most recently Tech scored 17 at Pitt, at Clemson and against Virginia in 2012. The only other time the 17 trifecta has happened was in 1997 against Miami (Ohio), Boston College and at West Virginia.
Rootin Tuten
Bhayshul Tuten, the transfer from North Carolina A&T, ran back the opening kickoff of the second half 99 yards for a touchdown. That was the first kickoff return for a touchdown since Dimitri Knowles returned a kickoff 93 yards in the third quarter against North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Oct. 6, 2012. The junior from Paulsboro, N.J. was one yard shy of tying the school record for longest kickoff return. That belongs to Macho Harris who returned a second quarter kickoff 100 yards at Clemson on Oct. 6, 2007.
Fourth Down Conversions
In their final drive of the second quarter for the Hokies, they put together a 16-play, 70-yard drive that ended in a 5-yard touchdown rush for Bhayshul Tuten. That drive not only had the most plays in a drive this season for Tech, but also saw the Hokies convert on fourth down three times. Tech got a 2-yard rush from Kyron Drones on 4th and 1 at the FSU 49, then on 4th and 2 at the FSU 39 Drones threw a 9-yard pass to Tuten. Finally on 4th and 1 from the FSU 21, Drones again got a 2-yard rush up the middle for the third conversion in the drive. It was the first time Tech had three 4th down conversions in a single drive since the fourth quarter at West Virginia on Oct. 25, 1997.
Scorigami
The 39-17 final score was the second scorigami of the season, joining the 35-16 score against Rutgers. Scorigami is the art of building final scores that have never happened before. More on scorigami.
The Streak Continues
The Hokies' 17 points scored against the Seminoles marks the 363rd 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
Double dose of Bhayshul
Tech's scoring output Saturday afternoon was a result of big plays being made at opportune times. Running back Bhayshul Tuten gave a heroic effort the entire contest, breaking tackles and fighting for every yard when he touched the ball. The North Carolina A&T transfer only rushed for 29 yards on eight carries, but what doesn't show up on the stat sheet is his effort. Facing a stifling Florida State defensive line, Tuten was consistently forced to make plays on the boundary, trying to beat multiple defenders to the edge. On his first score of the day, the junior running back did just that, racing to the pylon and hurdling his way into the endzone. Showing off tremendous athleticism on his lone rushing touchdown by jumping over a defender, the moment didn't even come close to his best play of the game. In the opening kickoff of the second half, Tuten handled the kickoff one yard from the goal line and strategically followed his blockers down the sideline, outrunning everyone on the field for a 99-yard touchdown return. Easily the best play of Tech's season thus far, the Paulsboro, New Jersey native proved against premier competition that he has the talent to perform at the Power Five level and then some.
Enforcing the Lawson
The Hokies had a difficult time containing explosive plays from the Seminoles offense. Yet, there were positives during the game that should provide a sense of optimism. In the second quarter, the defense forced two straight three-and-outs while limiting the Seminoles to only 14 yards of total offense. A player who found ways to impact the game at different levels was linebacker Keli Lawson. The athletic redshirt sophomore finished the contest with six total tackles, one quarterback hurry and two pass breakups, one of which was nearly an interception. Lawson has been a consistent performer for defensive coordinator Chris Marve, and his nose for the football should eventually lead to more turnovers in the coming weeks.
Running with Drones
Being a dual-threat quarterback has been Kyron Drones' calling card in his first four collegiate starts. Growing as a passer through live game action, the Sophomore signal-caller found more success using his legs and mobility. After a slow start in the first quarter, Tech's offensive momentum was sparked by a 40-yard run right through the teeth of FSU's defense to start the second. Drones' decision to pull the ball down and take advantage of the man coverage led to the team's first points, a 29-yard field goal by kicker John Love. The Pearland, Texas native finished the contest with 80 rushing yards on 14 attempts. With Drones averaging 5.7 yards per carry against a top-five ranked opponent, teams will have to scheme for his mobility, which should help open up the passing game.