Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The final home game of the 2024 season is underway, as the Hokies and Cavaliers face off in a sold-out Lane Stadium for the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. At halftime, Virginia Tech holds a commanding 20-3 lead over Virginia.
William ‘Pop’ Watson III marked his first collegiate start with an impressive opening drive for the Hokies. Watson showcased his arm with a 42-yard strike to Da’Quan Felton, positioning Virginia Tech deep in enemy territory. Bhayshul Tuten capitalized on the opportunity, rushing six yards for his 16th touchdown of the season, giving the Hokies an early lead.
Watson has showcased his dual-threat ability throughout the first half. The redshirt freshman leads the team in rushing with 45 yards, highlighted by a 15-yard scramble that demonstrated his mobility and poise under pressure. Through the air, he has been equally effective, amassing 166 passing yards.
Tech extended its lead late in the first quarter with a 44-yard field goal by John Love, capping another efficient drive to push the score to 10-0. The highlight of the half came in the second quarter on a quick two-play drive, where Watson found Jaylin Lane for a 66-yard touchdown — the longest passing score of the season for the Hokies — to stretch the lead to 17-3.
On the other side of the ball, the Hokies’ defense set the tone from the opening snap. Defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland recorded his 14th sack of the season on Virginia’s first play, driving the Cavaliers back six yards. The unit’s intensity and discipline left the Cavaliers without a touchdown in the first half.
The ‘Lunch Pail’ mentality was on full display, with lineman Aeneas Peebles tallying 1.5 TFLs, including a collaborative effort with Kelvin Gilliam Jr. to disrupt Virginia’s ground game. The secondary also stepped up, with safety Jaylen Jones making a crucial impact. Jones not only broke up a pass but also grabbed an interception late in the second quarter, returning it 31 yards to further stifle Virginia’s offense. This led to Love’s second field goal of the game, knocking in a 31-yard field goal to bring the Hokies total to 20 points. STAR Keonta Jenkins and cornerback Mansoor Delane also added pass breakups, rounding out a dominant defensive effort.
Virginia will receive the ball to start the second half.