Virginia Tech's first half wasn't very good outside of their rushing attack, but the Hokies found a way to hang around, only being down 10-7 at halftime to Florida State. However, Tech could only linger for so long with Tech's defensive nightmare and turnover issues proving costly in the end.
Virginia Tech lost to Florida State 34-14 to fall to 3-7 (2-4 ACC) on the season while the Seminoles improved to 5-5 (2-5 ACC). This loss officially ended VT's hopes of reaching a bowl game.
This was a little bit of an odd game given the pacing as it felt like a game between service academy with only seven total possessions in the first half and 16 total in the game. Florida State's offense absolutely dominated the Hokies with the Seminoles reaching the redzone on all eight of their possessions, turning those opportunities into four touchdowns, two field goals, and a missed field goal with FSU's last possession running out the clock.
The Seminoles averaged 6.1 yards per play in this game, with Tech being fortunate that it wasn't more as Thomas Castellanos missed a few open receivers on his way to being 12-24 for 189 yards and a passing touchdowns plus 45 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
FSU had only two 20+ yard plays but plenty of 10-19 yard gains while also having consistent forward progress offensively, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Tech only had two tackles for loss and no sacks either in what was one of the worst performances for a Tech defense this decade.
Tech's offense was relatively solid in this game averaging 6.2 yards per play including a very solid 5.8 yards per carry. The Hokies were only outgained 431-363 in this game, a disparity that would suggest a much closer game than the final margin. Tech was also 8-12 on third down which was quite impressive too for a team that has only converted 40.9% of third downs entering tonight.
However, a pair of turnovers for the Hokies in Florida State territory via a Kyron Drones underthrow interception and a Drones fumble on a play where FSU got to him almost immediately doomed VT's hopes of keeping it relatively close.
Special teams also weren't great as John Love had a rare miss with his 54-yard field goal attempt being short while FSU's Jaylin Lucas had a pair of kick returns that went for 37+ yards. This was also a night where neither team punted, the first time VT has participated in a game with zero punts since at least 1987.
Kyron Drones had an up and down night as he was 10-18 for 125 yards, one passing TD, and one interception plus 79 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. The two turnovers were problematic (though the second came after Drones was under pressure almost immediately) and his passing was inconsistent overall, but he also had some decent moments in this game as well.
Marcellous Hawkins averaged 8+ yards per carry for the fourth time in his past six games as he had 12 carries for 101 yards, his second game with 100+ rushing yards this season. Terion Stewart added 43 yards on eight carries while Jeff Overton Jr had three carries for 15 yards plus a 36-yard catch and run in what was a great night for Tech's running backs.
Ayden Greene led the receivers with two catches for 39 yards and a touchdown while Cameron Seldon added two catches for 22 yards and Isaiah Spencer had an 18-yard reception.
Caleb Woodson led the Hokies with eight tackles while Kaleb Spencer and Kody Huisman each had five tackles including 0.5 for loss.
Duce Robinson was a star once again for Florida State with six catches for 134 yards and a touchdown while Ousmane Kromah led the Seminoles in rushing with 59 yards on 11 carries. Jerry Wilson was a playmaker for FSU with an interception plus five tackles including one for loss that forced John Love into a long field goal while Mandrell Desir had three tackles including the strip sack fumble.
Virginia Tech will officially miss a bowl game for the second time in the past four seasons as the Hokies have returned to being in the lower tier of the ACC this season. With two ranked opponents remaining in Miami and Virginia, a 3-9 overall record seems more and more likely everyday.
The best news for Hokie fans at this point is that a reset via a new head coach is coming soon with reason for optimism that James Franklin could be that guy soon. Outside of that, the only other positives tonight was the rushing attack and the talent that the Hokies have in their RB room.
That short list is all you need to know about how bad of a night this was and how bad of a season 2025 is turning out to be for Virginia Tech.
