Just when it seemed the Virginia Tech football team was heading in the right direction, Saturday’s game brought a setback. Leading Syracuse 21-3 midway through the third quarter, the Hokies suffered a shocking collapse, allowing the Orange to score 28 points over the final quarter and a half, forcing overtime tied at 31. In overtime, Syracuse scored on their sole possession and forced a fumble on Virginia Tech’s drive, securing a 38-31 victory and achieving bowl eligibility.
This loss drops Virginia Tech to 5-4. With injuries piling up, reaching the six-win mark for bowl eligibility might come down to their Thanksgiving Weekend matchup at home against Virginia—a possibility, but not a certainty. Here are five key takeaways from the disappointing outcome in New York.
1. Closing out games is still a concern
This marked the fourth loss for the Hokies, once again highlighting their struggle to hold onto late-game leads. Similar breakdowns happened in Week 1 against Vanderbilt and again on Sept. 27 at Miami, where they narrowly avoided a Hail Mary scenario in South Florida.
While the defense bears some responsibility, the offense also missed critical opportunities. With just over five minutes left at Syracuse, they had the chance to extend their lead to two scores but had to settle for a field goal. If they had reached the end zone on their penultimate drive, the outcome could have been very different.
2. Clock management is still an issue
Clock management plays a crucial role in football, and once again, the Hokies’ coaching staff struggled with it on Saturday. From the final drive before halftime to the decision-making on their last drive, where they played for overtime, it was far from a clock management masterclass. Small issues like these continue to trouble Virginia Tech and make a significant impact on their outcomes.
3. Turnovers continue to haunt Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech generally protected the ball well, but a third-quarter fumble by Jeremiah Coney following Syracuse’s second touchdown gave the Orange a short field, allowing them to take their first lead. The key difference in the game was Syracuse’s ability to capitalize on turnover opportunities, while the Hokies failed to do the same.
4. Virginia Tech defense implodes in the second half
The Hokies’ defense excelled in the first half, with Mansoor Delane intercepting Kyle McCord in the end zone and holding the Ohio State transfer to just 90 passing yards. They forced several three-and-outs, giving the offense opportunities to build a lead.
However, Syracuse—who leads the NCAA in time of possession at 34:56 per game—started the second half strongly. A missed tackle led to a 55-yard catch-and-run by Justus Ross-Simmons, which shifted the momentum, and the Hokies’ defense struggled to get a stop from that point on. Allowing 28 points over a quarter and a half is a rare breakdown at any level, but Virginia Tech managed to do so.
5. Win No. 6 is going to be difficult to get
With three games left in the season and one win needed for bowl eligibility, the path forward isn’t clear for the Hokies. Next, Clemson comes to Blacksburg, followed by a bye week before they head to Duke, which will also be a homecoming game for Aeneas Peebles. Neither of these matchups will be easy, especially with the team dealing with injuries.
Realistically, their best chance may come on Nov. 30 at Lane Stadium against Virginia. If that game does become their only shot, it would be a disappointment for a team that entered the season with high expectations. Few anticipated that the Commonwealth Clash with Virginia would be a must-win scenario when the season began against Vanderbilt on Aug. 31.
It’s surprising to see the Hokies in this position. At 5-4, the same issues from Week 1 against Vanderbilt are still present in Week 10 at Syracuse. It’s been a disappointing season, to say the least.
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