Hokies’ defense showcased in stomping of Demon Deacons, 30-13

Nathan Andrews

Staff Writer

October 15, 2023

BLACKSBURG – Brent Pry’s club did not disappoint on Saturday, with the defense zapping copious amounts of energy into Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech (3-4, 2-1 ACC) controlled the game to conquer Wake Forest (4-3, 0-3) by a whopping three-score margin, 30-13.

Coming off a tough loss in Tallahassee at the hands of No. 4 Florida State, the Hokies looked to bounce back at home — and they did just that.

Fans roared to Enter Sandman by Metallica before kickoff, setting the stage for an explosive performance on the field. However, defense owned the day for the earlier portion of the game.

By the end of the first quarter, it was a defensive standoff by both teams. Donuts across the board made fans think that offense was going to be difficult to come across. 

One benefit that helped the Hokies stifle the Demon Deacons to zero points through the first 15 minutes was the work of the secondary unit. On the day, it had seven total passes successfully defended.

“I think we’ve got some good playmakers on the perimeter,” Tech head coach Brent Pry said to reporters after the game. “They’ve done a really nice job, but today I think we saw them impact the game and that’s where it needed to go. They took a step. That’s a credit to Coach Jones, Coach Prioleau. And I think that’s also the pass rush compliments.”

Tech cornerback Derrick Canteen picked off Wake Forest QB Mitch Griffis for the first turnover in the contest in toe-tap fashion. Canteen would go on to drop another potential interception later in the game, and Tech cornerbacks coach Derek Jones shared a laugh with Canteen about it. 

“I challenge him personally to be able to do that,” Jones shared. “It’s ironic. He told me right before we went out there in that series that he was about to go out there and get an interception, and he did. I’m proud of him for that. But on the flip side of it he also told me he was about to go out there and get an interception when he dropped it. It was 1-1.”

Punting was a common occurrence in the first quarter, too. In total, there were five punts by both squads combined during the first 15 minutes of the game. 

However, that trend didn’t last for long.

The second quarter was the complete opposite of the first quarter. All of Lane Stadium saw a shutout briskly transform into 27 points by halftime. 

It started with the honorary number 25 wearer, Bhayshul Tuten, scoring a touchdown in the early part of the frame. Tuten was the first player wearing the commemorative jersey to score a touchdown since Tré Turner in 2021. 

What had to have been the most unexpected turn of events happened in a mere 17 seconds close to the end of the second quarter. Directly after a successful 37-yarder by Tech K John Love, Wake Forest was set to receive the kickoff. 

To put the Demon Deacons on the board in shocking fashion, RB/KR Demond Claiborne hauled the rock down the field for a kick return touchdown. 

After all, Demon is in his name.

Tech answered on the first play of the ensuing drive as budding QB Kyron Drones hit his trusty wideout Jaylin Lane for a 75-yard house call. 

Lane sent the Lane into a whirlwind of craze. 

“We had a kickoff return that, obviously, is a thorn in the evening,” Pry said about the hectic series of events. “Outside of that, I thought we did things. We answered. When they made a play, we answered. The defense would get a stop on fourth and one or J [Jaylin] Lane would make a play. We answered when they made plays and that’s who we have to be right now.”

Tech held the lead over Wake Forest at halftime, 17-10.

From there on out, it was a complete defensive clinic hosted by Antwaun Powell-Ryland and the Hokies. Tech held the Demon Deacons to a measly three points in the second half.

Powell-Ryland, a transfer from the University of Florida, enjoyed the likes of four sacks, six tackles and four and a half tackles for losses. Wake Forest couldn’t seem to find an answer for the junior on Saturday. 

“That was a big emphasis all offseason,” said Pry. “You’re, obviously, going out and recruiting Antwaun Powell-Ryland and going and getting him to be a Hokie to come back home to the state of Virginia.”

“We’re collapsing the pocket better than we did and it makes a difference, particularly against a quarterback like that.” 

Tech’s offense also took immense strides during the game. Drones reached his career high in passing yards in just the third quarter. He had 321 passing yards on the evening along with two touchdown passes. 

“We knew they liked to play soft,” Tech wideout Stephen Gosnell said. “They were a bend-don’t-break type of defense, so we knew that if we were gonna be explosive and win this game, that it was gonna come in the passing game and KD’s [Kyron Drone’s] imprint tossing us the ball.”

This was a statement win for the Hokies. Being able to dominate on both sides of the ball is something that they’ve struggled with for most of the season. 

The Demon Deacons, on the other hand, fall to 0-3 in ACC play. They’ll look to bounce back against Pittsburgh next Saturday.

The Hokies secured their second win in the ACC to lead into the bye week before hosting Syracuse in two weeks.

“I mean, to get to win, and to know that we [have] a Thursday night game at Lane Stadium against an ACC opponent; awesome opportunity, that’s what it is,” Pry said. 

“We’re gonna work our tails off for the next week and a half to make sure we’re ready to play our best and see if we can’t be in this situation again.”