Hokie ClubSTANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Quarterback Kyron Drones passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third, and Virginia Tech bounced back to beat Stanford 31-7 on Saturday.
Running back Bhaysul Tuten added 73 rushing yards and one touchdown while the Hokies (3-3, 1-1 ACC) got a big game out of their defense in the win. A transfer from North Carolina A&T, Tuten eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark for his career.
Drones completed 14 of 19 throws for 201 yards. He made touchdown throws to Stephen Gosnell and Da’Quan Felton and scrambled for 17 yards for Virginia Tech in its first game against Stanford since the 2011 Orange Bowl. Felton had four catches for 84 yards.
While Drones patiently guided the offense, Tuten kept the Hokies rolling on the ground. The second-leading rusher in the ACC going into the game, Tuten repeatedly gouged the conference’s top run defense for big gains to help the Hokies end a two-game skid.
Justin Lamson, who played sparingly in the Cardinal’s first four games, completed 13 of 24 passes for 103 yards with one interception.
Virginia Tech held the Cardinal to 258 yards of offense.
After Stanford kicker Emmel Kenney’s 53-yard field goal attempt fell short on the opening drive of the game, Virginia Tech responded with a quick, efficient scoring drive. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane caught two passes for 26 yards, then ran 24 yards on a reverse to set up Drones’ 17-yard touchdown to Gosnell.
Tuten bulled into the end zone on a fourth-down play in the second quarter to put the Hokies ahead 14-0 at halftime.
The Hokies went up 21-0 when Drones squeezed a throw in between a pair of defenders and connected with Felton for a 55-yard touchdown to begin the second half. Felton caught the pass near the Stanford 35 then broke away and ran untouched into the end zone.
Stanford’s only score came off a trick play in the third quarter when running back Micah Ford threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Elic Ayomanor late in the third quarter.
John Love kicked a 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Virginia Tech.
TAKEAWAY
Virginia Tech: The Hokies played a solid game defensively but as always it was Tuten’s running that carried the day. Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen drew up a few trick plays to keep the Stanford defense on its toes, though the Cardinal were repeatedly bullied backward by Tuten’s bullish-style of running. Drones didn’t have a big passing day but did a great job moving around in the pocket to avoid Stanford’s pass rush.
Up Next: Tech will host Boston College for a Thursday night showdown on October 17th, at 7:30 p.m. ET in Lane Stadium. While this game is sold out, fans still seeking single-game ticket options for Boston College are encouraged to visit SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.