For the first time since 2012, Virginia Tech handled business against Georgia Tech in Lane Stadium in a 21-6 victory.
It was a slow, dull game in many ways, but the Hokies (5-3, 3-1 ACC) got up early on the Yellow Jackets (5-4, 3-3), extended their cushion in the second half and got stops when needed.
The Hokies started off on the wrong foot, though, when quarterback Kyron Drones fumbled on the first play from scrimmage as Yellow Jackets defensive end Romello Height flew around the right side of the line. Drones recovered the ball, but Virginia Tech had to punt on its opening possession for just the second time this season (Rutgers).
On its first opportunity, Georgia Tech ripped off a 12-play, 59-yard drive in 5:52 that culminated in a 24-yard field goal from Aidan Birr to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
The Hokies eventually responded with a four-play, 72-yard drive centered around tight end Benji Gosnell. Drones found him up the sideline for a 31-yard pickup that put the offense in the red zone. Using an unbalanced formation on the next play, Gosnell was wide open over the middle on the next play for a 20-yard strike.
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Georgia Tech cut the lead to 7-6 when Birr knocked through a career-long 50-yard field goal. Virginia Tech redshirt freshman defensive end Aycen Stevens had a tackle in the backfield for a three-yard loss on the 30-yard line that forced the Yellow Jackets to stall.
The Hokies extended their lead quickly when running back Bhayshul Tuten ripped off a 41-yard run that set them up in Georgia Tech territory. After burning some clock, they pulled out some trickery on second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, running the ‘Philly Special’ to perfection. Drones pitched the ball to Tuten, who gave it back to Lane on a reverse, and he hit Drones in the corner of the end zone for the score.
At intermission, Virginia Tech led Georgia Tech 14-6.
Hokies kicker John Love had a 55-yard field goal attempt blocked on the team’s second possession of the third quarter. Since 2013, the Yellow Jackets have blocked an incredible 36 kicks, tied with Army for the most in the country.
However, Virginia Tech linebacker Keli Lawson provided a spark soon after. He appeared to disguise his coverage and bait GT quarterback Zach Pyron into a throw toward the sideline for an interception, setting the home team up with great field position. It was the third career pick for Lawson and the second against Pyron, the first of which came in the 2022 meeting in Blacksburg.
The Hokies whipped out a flea flicker on the first play after the turnover, and Drones connected with Stephen Gosnell for a 28-yard gain. On the third down that followed, Drones found veteran wideout Da’Quan Felton for the conversion. On the next play, the quarterback kept it for a 1-yard score, making it 21-6 with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter.
It was a monotonous contest from there, though. Virginia Tech punted on its final four possessions while Georgia Tech turned the ball over on downs on its last three tries — which included some big stops from VT linebackers Keonta Jenkins and Jaden Keller. Safety Jaylen Jones put the cherry on top for the Hokies with an interception in the final two minutes, the first of his career.
It’s VT’s first three-game winning streak since 2019. Up next is a road trip to Syracuse (5-2, 2-2) and the JMA Wireless Dome, a place the Hokies haven’t won at since 2000.
Box Score: Virginia Tech 21, Georgia Tech 6
