Kyron Drones and the Virginia Tech offense weren't efficient against South Carolina on Sunday. (Ivan Morozov)

ATLANTA — This is a reactionary sport in reactionary times in a make-or-break Hokies season, so forgive the sweeping nature of these generalizations after Virginia Tech’s closer-than-the-score-indicated 24-11 loss to No. 13 South Carolina on Sunday, but urgency is required.