It was another disappointing one-score loss for Virginia Tech under Brent Pry as the Hokies blew a 21-3 third quarter lead on their way to a 38-31 overtime loss. However, the Hokies still had some standout performances that put them in position to avoid this disappointing loss. So with that said, here are our Hokies of the Game.
Offensive Hokie of the Game: Collin Schlee
He may have known for most of the week, but backup QB Collin Schlee stepped up with Kyron Drones out and delivered a very solid performance that gave the Hokies a very good opportunity to win this game. While it wasn't enough because of a diastrous second half from the Hokies' defense, it still was an impressive showing for him.
Schlee was 16-24 for 206 yards and a touchdown while running for 54 yards and a touchdown. He was a true dual-threat that had to be respected in both areas of the game, making some great passes down the field while also having some impressive runs and scrambles.
He wasn't perfect in tis game and I still would absolutely stick with a healthy Kyron Drones as Tech's best quarterback. However, it's clear that the Hokies have a more than competent backup ready to fill in when need be.
Tech's running backs also stepped up with Bhayshul Tuten out as Malachi Thomas did what Malachi Thomas has always done, keep the Hokies on schedule. He had 14 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown plus two catches for 15 yards, grinding out extra yards often while taking advantage of the good holes that he did get for double-digit gains.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Coney gave Tech fans plenty of reason to be encouraged about the future with nine carries for 96 yards while Stephen Gosnell had arguably the best game of his career with five catches for a career-high 118 yards.
Defensive Hokie of the Game: Mansoor Delane
Mansoor Delane wasn't perfect in this game, but the junior cornerback delivered a tremendous performance that helped put the Hokies in position to run away with this game early before a disastrous second half.
Delane had six tackles including 0.5 for loss plus an interception and a forced fumble that stopped two of Syracuse's three best drives in the first half. Those two turnovers saved the Hokies at least six points with the way Syracuse was moving it and were the type of plays that you expect for a star cornerback.
As such, Delane reminded people why his future is definitely on Sundays for years to come, even if he has a little more work to do in refining his game to maximize his potential at the next level.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland also had a couple big plays in this game as he had three tackles including a sack to force a 3 and out as VT was rebuilding momentum in the fourth, plus a blocked extra point that started to turn the tide at the start of the fourth quarter. Aeneas Peebles gave Kyle McCord plenty of issues and had two pass breakups plus three tackles while Keonta Jenkins led VT with 10 tackles.
