For a moment on Sunday, it looked like the No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks would roll the Virginia Tech Hokies on the way to an easy blowout victory to begin the 2025 college football season. After allowing an opening drive touchdown, Virginia Tech settled down and looked up to the challenge, but didn’t receive enough help from the offense and special teams in a 24-11 defeat.
VT quarterback Kyron Drones completed 15 of 35 passes for 221 yards and two interceptions. Tech’s ground game finished with
115 yards on 37 attempts. The offense was plagued by Drones’ inaccuracy and several dropped passes. The offensive line struggled at times, which was expected in their first game together.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers completed 12 of 19 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. Sellers also rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Tech’s defense did a solid job against Sellers, outside of one 64-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Let’s get into our thoughts from Sunday’s game. Here’s the Week 1 edition of six takeaways.
Sam Siefkes is the real deal
VT’s brand-new 34-year-old defensive coordinator showed more in one game than Chris Marve did in three years. When several NFL head coaches vouched for Siefkes, many thought nothing of it. However, the praise for Siefkes from coaches and players was real. We aren’t sure where Siefkes landed among Pry’s priority candidates, but he took a chance, and it could be his best move since coming to Blacksburg. After the early touchdown, Tech settled down. Sure, there were hiccups, such as a 34-yard run of second-and-33, but, for the most part, the Hokies were ready for South Carolina’s ground game.
After one of several failed trips into USC territory, the Hokies got to Sellers for a safety. The Gamecocks were unable to get anything going in their passing game through three quarters, with everything mostly coming on short catch-and-run plays. Ultimately, things broke in the fourth quarter as Sellers found Nyck Harbor on a 64-yard touchdown, and Sellers picked up a first down late with his legs to clinch the game. Sellers is one of the nation’s top young quarterbacks, and the Hokies did a good job against him. He’s likely the best QB that VT will play this year, although Diego Pavia and Carson Beck may have something to say.
The Hokies held the 13th-ranked Gamecocks to an average of 3.2 yards per rushing attempt and sacked Sellers four times. Siefkes was also creative in how he pressured the South Carolina star. It’s hard not to be encouraged by Virginia Tech’s defense. They looked fast, they arrived violently, and played a physical style of football, reminiscent of the old days.
Philip Montgomery’s debut
The new offensive coordinator called a good game. This isn’t Tyler Bowen or Brad Cornelsen. But he needs his players to execute. The offensive line must hold its blocks better. Drones must be more accurate, and the receivers can’t have that many drops. I do wonder if Drones and Montgomery are a bad match. Montgomery’s offense would probably prefer a more precise passer. That’s not really Drones. However, it’s up to the veteran coach to make it work. Sunday’s offensive ineptitude wasn’t because the offensive coordinator was out of his element. That’s a refreshing change for the Hokies. It was mistake after mistake that cost Virginia Tech.
Mistakes
It’s the hallmark of a Brent Pry team. Play a fairly close game that is undone by penalties and turnovers. The mistakes were plentiful in this one. Whether it was Jeremiah Coney’s chop block that wiped out a big play or Donavon Greene’s unnecessary roughness penalty right after a big play, it was always something. Drones missed several throws, but he also didn’t have a lot of help at times. Whether it was Takye Heath’s third-down drop near midfield or Marcellous Hawkins’ drop with nothing but grass in front of him, there was no shortage of mistakes. Even the reliable Ayden Greene and Benji Gosnell had drops. The most frustrating part for fans is seeing the Hokies close and in position, but commit an unforced error. This was a winnable game. Very winnable.
The receivers and defensive line stood out
Yes, there were drops, but it wasn’t just the receivers. As a whole, this was a terrific performance from Tech’s wide receivers against a ranked SEC foe. Ayden Greene and Donavon Greene looked great. Yes, Ayden had a key drop in the fourth quarter, but the game was essentially over. Donavon Greene was fantastic in his Virginia Tech debut. Injuries have always prevented Donavon from reaching greater heights when he was at Wake Forest. Isaiah Spencer made his debut with a phenomenal 28-yard catch. Cameron Seldon caught three passes in his debut. I want to see the Hokies get Seldon in the open field. With his size and background as a running back, he could be fun after the catch.
There were a lot of concerns about how much the Hokies lost at wide receiver. Relax. They’re going to be fine.
How about that defensive line? Remember, Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles are gone, yet this unit looked more dominant against the Gamecocks than at any time last year. Kelvin Gilliam, Kemari Copeland, and Emmett Laws dominated the interior, while James Djonkam, Ben Bell, and Elhadj Fall brought heat off the edge; a potential question mark looks like a team strength. It’s time to give J.C. Price his flowers. The man is excellent at helping these players get better once they arrive in Blacksburg. Having a competent defensive coordinator helps, too.
After one game, I am most encouraged by these units. I thought Tech’s linebackers also played well. Caleb Woodson is the real deal.
Kyron Drones must improve
It’s hard to go 15 of 35 indoors. Drones did. But, again, let’s be fair to him. Offhand, without rewatching, I counted at least six drops. Drones also had some critical misses. The final interception, that’s a guy trying to make a play at the end on fourth down after his teammates let him down on three consecutive plays. The first interception cannot happen. It cost the Hokies at least three points. If Drones continues to be this inefficient, Pry will have to look at someone else. It’s one game, so let’s not go asking for the backup. How do we know they’re better? We don’t. The concern surrounding Drones is that this was some of what we saw last year before injuries tanked his season. He didn’t even look like the same runner on Sunday. Again, it’s one game.
How will the Hokies bounce back next week? That Vanderbilt game suddenly becomes the biggest game for Drones and Pry. Vanderbilt is a formidable opponent that beat them this last year. That was another game where the Hokies made multiple mistakes. Virginia Tech has Vandy under the lights in Lane Stadium next week, and better get the job done.
No loser mentality
What’s a loser mentality? Being happy that you “hung tough” with the No. 13 team. Look, South Carolina is talented, but they aren’t Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide or Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs. And you had several chances to take control of the game. So, don’t pat yourself on the back this week. The good news coming out of Sunday’s locker room was that the Hokies were upset and ready to move past this game. That’s a positive.
No Virginia Tech fan wants to hear how close the Hokies are. Close to what exactly? 6-6? 7-5? We don’t want to hear how encouraging Sunday’s loss was. Were there bright spots? Absolutely, and it’s OK to acknowledge those, but coaches or players don’t need to speak about being close. Use Sunday’s loss as fuel to ensure that you don’t start 0-2 when Vandy comes to Blacksburg next week.
