Virginia Tech football dropped its final home game of the season against NC State 35-28, but the Hokies finished the game with some noteworthy stats.
For a deeper look at the numbers, view below.
Stats with Salas
Where is the Love?
Saturday was the first time since the Pitt game on Oct. 16, 2021 that neither team attempted a field goal. In fact, there were two games in 2021 that went without a field goal. The other was against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 11.
Scoring Streak Continues
Saturday’s game marked the 368th consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored. The Hokies are in 4th place in both the all-time and active streak lists.
Uniform Watch
The Hokies wore maroon helmets, maroon jerseys and maroon pants for the third time this season. It’s the first time since 2008 that combination has been worn three times in the same season. Tech also wore it three times in 2006. The most it’s been worn in a season was in 2003 when it was worn five times for the Texas A&M, Syracuse, Miami, Boston College and Cal games.
| HELMET | JERSEY | PANTS | DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | 2023 RECORD | RECORD SINCE 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | Maroon | White | Sept. 2, 2023 | Old Dominion | W, 36-17 | 1-0 | 11-2 |
| White | Orange | Orange | Sept. 9, 2023 | Purdue | L, 17-24 | 0-1 | 2-1 |
| White | White | White | Sept. 16, 2023 | at Rutgers | L, 16-35 | 0-1 | 19-10 |
| Maroon | White | Maroon | Sept. 23, 2023 | at Marshall | L, 17-24 | 0-1 | 34-36 |
| White | Maroon | White | Sept. 30, 2023 | Pitt | W. 38-21 | 1-1 | 12-2 |
| Maroon | White | Maroon | Oct. 7, 2023 | at Florida State | L, 17-39 | 0-2 | 34-37 |
| Maroon | Maroon | Maroon | Oct. 14, 2023 | Wake Forest | W, 30-13 | 1-0 | 17-16 |
| Maroon | Maroon | Maroon | Oct. 26, 2023 | Syracuse | W, 38-10 | 2-0 | 18-16 |
| Maroon | White | White | Nov. 4, 2023 | at Louisville | L, 34-3 | 0-1 | 58-41 |
| White | White | Maroon | Nov. 11, 2023 | at Boston College | W, 48-22 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Maroon | Maroon | Maroon | Nov. 18, 2023 | NC State | L, 28-35 | 2-1 | 18-17 |
Tech Playmakers
Drones Going Deep
Tech quarterback Kyron Drones has found his stride as the lead signal caller. In a contest where NC State scored a touchdown on five straight possessions, the Hokies still had a chance at the end thanks to Drones’ command of the offense. The redshirt sophomore threw three touchdown passes in the second half and gave the special teams unit an onside kick opportunity just inside the two-minute warning. Drones’ chemistry with wide receiver Da’Quan Felton has been quite the sight, as the duo connected for another deep score, a 42-yard pass down the sideline. Felton also caught the Pearland, Texas native’s second touchdown, a 12-yard strike, to conclude a ten-play, 92-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Drones finished his day by connecting with Stephen Gosnell for a touchdown in back-to-back games. The Baylor transfer also led Tech in rushing, with 51 yards on the ground on nine attempts.
Green Grass Ahead
Creating explosive plays has been a consistent touchpoint for head coach Brent Pry and his young football team. Giving opportunities to young players and creating favorable personnel matchups is an ideology echoed by the staff throughout the season. Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen delved through his playbook and found a gem in the first quarter on a 47-yard reverse to Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw. The redshirt freshman showcased tremendous speed in the open field for his first career touchdown. “I remember grabbing the ball, and I looked left to turn up, and I seen three guys. They were just looking around, shaking their heads; they had nobody to block,” Turner-Bradshaw reflected during the postgame press conference. “So, I just knew it was nothing but green grass, and I knew Da’Quan Felton was going to take care of the guy up front. I’m glad that happened, and I’m glad I got in the end zone.” It was perfect execution from the offense and the exact sort of explosive play Tech has been looking for to start games.
Backfield Mayhem
Playing in the box and in a hybrid role on defense Keonta Jenkins displayed his nose for the football, tying for the team leader in tackles. The Jacksonville, Florida native registered eight tackles with five solo takedowns, a total matched by cornerback Mansoor Delane. Jenkins’ versatility within Tech’s defensive scheme helped him finish with two tackles for loss and a registered quarterback hit. The senior STAR has recorded a tackle for loss in each of the last five games and recorded a season-high 12 tackles against Wake Forest, which also marked the last contest he had two TFLs.
