Hokie ClubHeading into their first meeting since 2018, the Hokies and Seminoles each look to stay unbeaten in conference play when they meet inside Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, with the game set to air on ABC.
Drones In The Zone
Capping off his third consecutive start with a career performance in the 38-21 victory over Pitt, Tech quarterback Kyron Drones has found a new gear since taking over as the Hokies' starting signal-caller a few weeks ago.
The Baylor transfer accounted for five touchdowns in the win over the Panthers, becoming the first Tech quarterback to do so since Josh Jackson went 24-for-31 for 372 yards and five scores against East Carolina back in 2017.
The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder went 12-for-19 with 228 yards and three touchdowns in the air and utilized his ability on the ground to barrel in the end zone twice from a few yards out.
Tuten Taking Off
With the emergence of Tech starting running back Bhayshul Tuten, it shouldn't be a surprise that the Hokies offense has begun to click on all cylinders.
Transferring in from North Carolina A&T prior to the start of 2023, the former FCS All-American has proved to be a primary playmaker in the midst of Tech's offensive attack, with Tuten starting to showcase just that on a consistent basis week in and week out.
Rushing for 116 yards on 25 carries out of the backfield for the Hokies this past week, Tuten forced a game-high 10 missed tackles for the second time this season in a dominant affair. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder finished with a 77.8 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus, besting his previous mark by nearly 14 points and finding success all-around in Tech's most satisfying performance in 2023.
Tuten also caught four passes for 37 yards, and found the end zone for the second time this year when targeted in the air.
Both big and imposing on the defensive front, Florida State's 3.76 yards allowed per carry will present another unique challenge when Tuten has the ball. But if the junior back is able to replicate anything in the realm of his performance against Pitt, the Hokies will have an opportunity to find some success throughout conference play.
Fourth Down Success
When opponents have found themselves in fourth down situations so far this season, the Hokies have been stifling.
Through the first five games against the Tech defense, opponents have yet to convert on a fourth down try, going 0-for-4 in conversion attempts when tasked with going up against Brent Pry's bunch.
Furthermore, the Hokies are the only team in the country yet to allow a fourth down conversion, signifying the poise that Tech continues to show on the defensive side of the ball.
On the contrary, the Seminoles pose an interesting matchup should the Hokies find themselves in a similar situation. Led by star quarterback Jordan Travis, Florida State has converted on 7-of-9 fourth down attempts early on in 2023, good for nearly 78% and standing tall at 13th best throughout all of college football.
With Tech's ability to get off the field, it sets up an interesting possibility when game time rolls around on Saturday in Tallahassee.