Game Overview
The Virginia Tech Hokies played the Vanderbilt Commodores on August 31, 2024, in Nashville. The game went to overtime and was super exciting. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt’s quarterback, led his team with big plays, while Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech’s quarterback, made a huge comeback.
The final score was 34-27, with Vanderbilt winning in overtime. Both teams fought hard. This article shows all the player stats and big moments that made the game special.
Why This Game Was a Big Deal
This game started the 2024 season for both teams. Virginia Tech wanted to prove they’re strong in the ACC. Vanderbilt wanted to show they can beat tough teams in the SEC.
Fans loved watching. They wanted to know which players did the best. We’ll break down the stats to show who stood out.
Key Players to Watch
Diego Pavia was Vanderbilt’s star. He ran and threw the ball really well. Kyron Drones was Virginia Tech’s hero, making big plays to keep his team in the game.
Other players helped too. We’ll look at their stats. This shows how each player made a difference.
Team Stats Summary
Virginia Tech played well but lost. They moved the ball a lot but made some mistakes. Their defense tried to stop Vanderbilt’s fast plays.
Vanderbilt was strong. Their offense scored a lot with Pavia’s help. Their defense made it hard for Virginia Tech to win.
Virginia Tech Hokies Team Stats
Virginia Tech worked hard. They gained yards but had some problems. Here are their stats.
- Total Yards: 397 yards. They passed and ran well.
- Passing: 322 yards, 2 touchdowns. Drones threw the ball great.
- Rushing: 75 yards, 1 touchdown. They didn’t run as much.
- Turnovers: 1 interception. This hurt them.
- Third-Down Conversions: 5 out of 13. They struggled to keep drives going.
Vanderbilt Commodores Team Stats
Vanderbilt played smart. They moved the ball and kept it safe. Here are their stats.
- Total Yards: 371 yards. Pavia helped a lot.
- Passing: 190 yards, 2 touchdowns. Pavia threw well.
- Rushing: 181 yards, 2 touchdowns. They ran fast.
- Turnovers: No turnovers. They kept the ball safe.
- Third-Down Conversions: 7 out of 15. They did better on third downs.
| Team | Total Yards | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | 397 | 322 | 75 | 3 | 1 |
| Vanderbilt | 371 | 190 | 181 | 4 | 0 |
Table: Team stats comparison for Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt, August 31, 2024.
Player Stats Breakdown
Let’s look at the players who did the best. We’ll start with the quarterbacks. Then we’ll cover other key players.
Diego Pavia’s Amazing Game (Vanderbilt QB)
Diego Pavia was the game’s star. He ran and threw like a pro. His plays helped Vanderbilt win.
- Passing: 12 of 16 completions, 190 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions. He threw accurately.
- Rushing: 26 carries, 104 yards, 1 touchdown. He ran fast and dodged tackles.
- Key Play: In overtime, Pavia ran 4 yards for the winning touchdown. This sealed the game.
Pavia was hard to stop. He escaped defenders and made smart passes. His 294 total yards showed he’s a top player.
Kyron Drones’ Big Comeback (Virginia Tech QB)
Kyron Drones fought hard. He led Virginia Tech back from a 17-point gap. His plays in the fourth quarter were exciting.
- Passing: 22 of 33 completions, 322 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception. He threw far and well.
- Rushing: 6 carries, 21 yards. He ran when he needed to.
- Key Play: In the fourth quarter, Drones threw a 62-yard touchdown to Ali Jennings. This gave Virginia Tech the lead.
Drones showed courage. He stayed calm under pressure. His big passes kept Virginia Tech in the game.
Virginia Tech’s Other Stars
Other Hokies helped a lot. Their plays kept the game close. Here are the top players.
- Bhayshul Tuten (Running Back): 9 carries, 34 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 catches, 17 yards, 1 touchdown. Tuten scored twice.
- Ali Jennings (Wide Receiver): 4 catches, 84 yards, 1 touchdown. His long catch was huge.
- Stephen Gosnell (Tight End): 3 catches, 72 yards. He made big plays.
- Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Defensive End): 4 tackles, 1 sack. He tackled Pavia once.
These players worked hard. Their stats show they helped Drones. They kept Virginia Tech fighting.
Vanderbilt’s Other Stars
Vanderbilt’s players supported Pavia. They made big plays too. Here are the standouts.
- Sedrick Alexander (Running Back): 13 carries, 59 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 catch, 8 yards, 1 touchdown. He scored twice.
- Quincy Skinner Jr. (Wide Receiver): 3 catches, 72 yards, 1 touchdown. His catches were big.
- Glenn Seabrooks (Defensive Lineman): 1 interception. He caught Drones’ pass.
- Khordae Sydnor (Defensive End): 1 sack. He tackled Drones in a key moment.
These players helped Vanderbilt win. Their stats show their impact. They worked well with Pavia.
| Player | Team | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt | 190 | 104 | 3 | 0 |
| Kyron Drones | Virginia Tech | 322 | 21 | 2 | 1 |
| Bhayshul Tuten | Virginia Tech | 0 | 34 | 2 | 0 |
| Sedrick Alexander | Vanderbilt | 0 | 59 | 2 | 0 |
Table: Key player stats for Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt, August 31, 2024.
Key Moments That Shaped the Game
This game had many exciting plays. Let’s look at the moments that made it a thriller. Each one shows how Pavia and Drones battled.
First Quarter: Vanderbilt Starts Fast
Vanderbilt began strong. They drove 50 yards in 11 plays. Brock Taylor kicked a 43-yard field goal to lead 3-0.
Virginia Tech struggled. Drones threw an interception to Seabrooks. Vanderbilt got the ball close to the goal but didn’t score.
Second Quarter: Vanderbilt Pulls Ahead
Vanderbilt scored again. Pavia threw a 14-yard touchdown to Quincy Skinner Jr. This made it 10-0.
Vanderbilt kept going. Sedrick Alexander ran 7 yards for a touchdown. The score was 17-0. Virginia Tech got a field goal before halftime, making it 17-3.
Third Quarter: Virginia Tech Fights Back
Virginia Tech woke up. Tuten ran 24 yards for a touchdown. This cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 17-10.
Vanderbilt answered. A weird play happened. Taylor missed a 54-yard field goal, but Virginia Tech got a penalty for two players wearing the same number. Taylor then made a 53-yard field goal, making it 20-10.
Fourth Quarter: Drones Takes the Lead
Drones led a big drive. He threw a 62-yard touchdown to Ali Jennings. This gave Virginia Tech a 27-20 lead with 4:12 left.
Vanderbilt didn’t give up. Pavia threw an 8-yard touchdown to Sedrick Alexander. This tied the game at 27-27 with 1:51 left.
Overtime: Pavia Wins It
In overtime, Vanderbilt went first. Pavia ran 4 yards for a touchdown. This put Vanderbilt ahead 34-27.
Virginia Tech tried to answer. Drones was replaced by Collin Schlee due to an injury. Schlee was sacked, and Virginia Tech couldn’t score. Vanderbilt won.
How the Stats Tell the Story
The stats show why Vanderbilt won. Pavia’s 294 total yards and no turnovers were huge. He ran and threw better than anyone expected.
Drones was great too. His 322 passing yards and two touchdowns almost won the game. But his interception and Virginia Tech’s penalties hurt them.
- Pavia’s Strength: His 104 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns made him unstoppable.
- Drones’ Effort: His long passes, like the 62-yard touchdown, kept Virginia Tech close.
- Team Difference: Vanderbilt’s zero turnovers and better third-down plays won the game.
Strategic Insights
Both teams had good plans. Vanderbilt used Pavia’s speed to trick Virginia Tech. They ran plays that let him move fast.
Virginia Tech relied on Drones’ passing. They threw to open players like Jennings and Gosnell. Their defense couldn’t stop Pavia’s runs, though.
Vanderbilt’s Plan
Vanderbilt mixed runs and passes. Pavia’s quick moves confused Virginia Tech. Their defense sacked Drones at key times, like in overtime.
Virginia Tech’s Plan
Virginia Tech passed a lot. Drones threw far to Jennings and Gosnell. Their defense tried to stop Pavia but missed tackles.
Why This Game Was Special
This game was a thriller. It had big plays, a comeback, and an overtime finish. Fans loved watching Pavia and Drones battle.
The stats tell a story of two great quarterbacks. Pavia dominated with runs and passes. Drones fought back with big throws. The game showed how close these teams were.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Vanderbilt’s win was big. It ended a long losing streak against power conference teams. Pavia’s play makes them a tough SEC team.
Virginia Tech showed they can fight. Drones proved he’s a strong leader. They’ll use this game to get better in the ACC.
Sources
- NCAA Official Stats: www.ncaa.com
- ESPN Game Recap: www.espn.com
- FOX Sports Box Score: www.foxsports.com
Conclusion
The Virginia Tech Hokies vs Vanderbilt Commodores game was super exciting. Diego Pavia led Vanderbilt with amazing plays. Kyron Drones fought hard for Virginia Tech, almost tying the game in overtime.
This article showed all the player stats and big moments. Check NCAA or team websites for more details. Tell us what you thought of the game below!
Disclaimer: This article uses stats and details from the August 31, 2024, Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt game, based on available data. For official stats, visit NCAA or team websites. The author is not responsible for errors in third-party data.
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Jared H. Furness loves sports! He writes about football, basketball, and baseball. He looks at player stats and tells fun, easy stories. His articles are very simple to read. Everyone can understand them! You can find his writing on big sports websites. He talks about how players play, exciting game moments, and smart plans. For example, he writes about games like Boston College Eagles vs. UVA and Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins. Jared writes his own stories, and they follow Google’s rules. They’re easy to find on Google and never copied. Fans and experts love his stories about stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and fun EuroLeague basketball moments. Jared makes sports writing super fun and clear!