Kyron Drones Leads Virginia Tech to Resounding Victory Over Stanford
In a thrilling display of college football prowess, Kyron Drones shone brightly as Virginia Tech bounced back from heartbreak the previous week to deliver a decisive 31-7 win over Stanford. The Hokies, now sitting at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), showcased a balanced offensive attack and a tenacious defense, effectively putting last week’s narrow loss to No. 7 Miami in the rearview mirror.
Dynamic Performance by Drones and Tuten
Drones, the Hokies’ quarterback and a key figure on the offensive side, passed for two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown of his own. Completing 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards, Drones was instrumental in moving the chains and maintaining control of the game flow. His touchdown passes went to Stephen Gosnell and Da’Quan Felton, both of whom made significant contributions to the Hokies’ offensive success. Felton notably had four catches for 84 yards, proving to be a reliable target downfield.
Meanwhile, Bhaysul Tuten continued to make rumbles as a powerful force in the Hokies’ backfield. Rushing for 73 yards and a touchdown, Tuten eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark for his career, affirming his status as a formidable running back in the ACC. As the second-leading rusher in the conference prior to this game, Tuten consistently found openings and showcased his ability to churn out valuable yardage, contributing to the Hokies’ effective ground game.
Refocusing After the Miami Heartbreak
Virginia Tech entered this game looking to shed the disappointment of their previous loss to Miami, a game that came down to a last-second controversy when Drones and Felton connected for what appeared to be a winning touchdown—only for the call to be overturned by replay. Coach Brent Pry emphasized the importance of maintaining a well-rounded approach in this matchup against Stanford, stating, "That’s what we need to be offensively, defensively, special teams." The Hokies delivered on that front, executing a performance that demonstrated growth and resilience.
A Defensive Showcase
The Hokies’ defense rose to the occasion, stifling the Stanford offense throughout the contest. Virginia Tech only allowed 258 total yards, demonstrating an impressive ability to shut down plays before they could gain momentum. The Cardinal’s quarterback change didn’t yield any significant improvement; Justin Lamson, stepping in for the injured Ashton Daniels, struggled to find his rhythm, completing just 13 of 24 passes for 103 yards and throwing an interception. Coach Pry’s vision for a disruptive defense, one that causes mayhem for opponents, played out perfectly against a Stanford squad that struggled to respond.
An Efficient Offense
The game began with Virginia Tech quickly taking charge. After Stanford missed a long 53-yard field goal attempt, the Hokies responded by marching down the field with an efficient drive. Utilizing wide receiver Jaylin Lane on a 24-yard reverse helped set up Drones’ 17-yard touchdown pass to Gosnell, propelling the Hokies ahead early. Tuten extended the lead just before halftime with a powerful fourth-down conversion that drove the score to 14-0.
As the second half commenced, Drones continued his impressive performance with a well-placed 55-yard touchdown pass to Felton, who showcased speed and agility to break free and race into the end zone. This early touchdown in the third quarter set the tone for a dominating Hokies’ performance.
Stanford’s Struggles
Stanford managed to put points on the board in the third quarter through a clever trick play that saw running back Micah Ford throw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Elic Ayomanor. However, this fleeting moment of success was overshadowed by a lackluster overall performance. Coach Troy Taylor lamented, "We just never had any big plays, really," acknowledging the need for the team to find solutions as they head into tougher opponents.
Next Challenges Ahead
For Virginia Tech, the victory serves as a boost in confidence as they prepare to host Boston College on October 17. On the other hand, Stanford will need to regroup and find answers quickly, as they travel next week to face No. 16 Notre Dame, a Top 25 team poised to challenge their capabilities.
The contrasting fortunes of these two programs highlight the unpredictability of college football, where momentum can turn in an instant and every game carries the weight of past performances. As the season unfolds, both Virginia Tech and Stanford will look to carve their paths, aiming for success in their respective conferences.