Virginia Tech Drops Heartbreaker to Syracuse in Overtime, 38-31 (11-2-24)
By: Joey Raymond
Headline Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics
Syracuse, New York —In a thrilling match-up that came down to the wire, Virginia Tech fell to Syracuse 38-31 in overtime at Lane Stadium. The Hokies entered the game with some key absences, most notably backup quarterback Colin Schlee starting in place of the injured Kyron Drones, and star running back Bhayshul Tuten. Despite these challenges, Schlee quickly energized the team and led them to an early lead, but Syracuse staged an impressive late-game comeback, ultimately pulling off the win in an overtime heartbreaker for the Hokies. Let’s break it down by quarter and see how this thriller played out.
First Quarter: Hokies Start Hot
Virginia Tech started with possession after Syracuse deferred the opening kickoff, but their first drive stalled, giving the ball to the Orange. Both defenses looked sharp early, as the teams traded three-and-outs. The Hokies were the first to break the ice with a smooth 48-yard pass from Schlee to Stephen Gosnell, setting up the offense just yards from the goal line. Schlee then connected with Jaylin Lane on a jet sweep pass, and Lane took it into the end zone, giving the Hokies a 7-0 lead.
On their next drive, the Hokies didn’t waste any time. Schlee fired off another long pass to Gosnell, this time for 44 yards, setting himself up for a short quarterback sneak to make it 14-0. It was clear that Schlee was feeling the pressure to perform, and he was stepping up. Meanwhile, the Virginia Tech defense kept Syracuse’s offense at bay, forcing multiple punts and showing off an impressive early-game intensity. As the first quarter closed, the Hokies held a commanding lead, and the energy in the dome was electric.
Second Quarter: Syracuse Starts to Chip Away
Syracuse began the second quarter within field goal range, and kicker Jackson Kennedy put the Orange on the board with a successful kick, cutting the Hokies’ lead to 14-3. The Hokies offense seemed to lose a bit of rhythm, hampered by penalties and a Syracuse sack on Schlee. The Orange nearly capitalized on the Hokies’ stalled drive, but Mansoor Delane’s end-zone interception snatched back the momentum.
After a brief Hokies drive, punter Peter Moore pinned the Orange deep in their territory. Syracuse tried to fight their way out of their end zone, but they couldn’t break through, punting it back to Virginia Tech. With time winding down in the half, Jeremiah Coney burst free for a 47-yard run that had the Hokies knocking on the door. But a clock mismanagement issue robbed them of a chance to add points before the half, leaving them up 14-3 as both teams headed into the locker room.
Third Quarter: Hokies Hold Strong, but Syracuse Finds Their Groove
Syracuse opened the second half with the ball but quickly found themselves in trouble after a failed trick play attempt. Virginia Tech’s offense responded with a balanced 76-yard drive that culminated in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Schlee to Ali Jennings, extending their lead to 21-3. But the Orange weren’t ready to quit. After a defensive pass interference call on the Hokies, Syracuse’s offense came alive. A quick 55-yard pass sliced through the Hokies’ secondary, putting Syracuse back in the game at 21-10.
The Hokies went three-and-out on their next drive, leaving the door open for the Orange. Syracuse continued to attack, using a series of screen passes and a 41-yard play to move down the field. Two plays later, LeQuint Allen punched it into the end zone, then converted a two-point attempt, closing the gap to 21-18. Suddenly, the Hokies were on their heels. They tried to regain control, but another turnover — a fumble by Coney — gave Syracuse another chance as the third quarter wound down.
Fourth Quarter: A Back-and-Forth Battle
Starting the fourth quarter from the Hokies’ 28-yard line, Syracuse wasted no time. A quick touchdown pass gave them their first lead of the game at 24-21. The Hokies looked rattled, and to make matters worse, Schlee went down with a lower-body injury, bringing in third-string QB Pop Watson. But Watson rose to the occasion, handing off to Malachi Thomas, who found a seam and sprinted 15 yards for a touchdown, giving the Hokies a 28-24 lead and reigniting the Hokies sideline.
The Hokies defense stepped up next, with Antwon Powell-Ryland delivering a huge sack that forced a Syracuse punt. However, a penalty on the punt return gave Virginia Tech a great starting position at the Syracuse 37-yard line. A series of quick handoffs to Thomas helped the Hokies inch closer to the end zone, but Syracuse’s defense held strong, forcing a field goal attempt. John Love nailed it, pushing the Hokies’ lead to 31-24.
With just over five minutes left, Syracuse orchestrated a final drive, trusting Allen to make plays. The Hokies’ defense gave up a crucial pass interference penalty, and Syracuse took advantage, setting up first-and-goal at the 2-yard line. The Orange eventually ran it in, tying the game at 31-31 with less than a minute left, sending the contest into overtime.
Overtime: Syracuse Seals the Win
Virginia Tech elected to defend first in overtime, hoping their defense could come up with one last stand. But Syracuse’s Allen took control, breaking off a 16-yard run followed by a 9-yard run into the end zone to give the Orange a 38-31 lead. Now needing a touchdown to stay alive, the Hokies got a boost from a Syracuse pass interference call. However, a holding penalty on the Hokies and a critical fumble by Schlee dashed their comeback hopes, ending the game in a painful loss for the Hokies.
A Tough Lesson for the Hokies
Virginia Tech fought hard in a game that showcased both promise and missed opportunities. Schlee’s early performance was strong, and the defense shined in several key moments. However, turnovers, penalties, and costly mistakes prevented the Hokies from closing out the game. The loss of Schlee to injury late in the game was especially tough, as the Hokies’ offense struggled to find consistency after the injury. Schlee seemed hesitant to run the ball, and it showed when the Hokies needed him to run the most. Despite the heartbreaking outcome, the Hokies showed flashes of their potential and determination to fight through adversity. They’ll look to build on this experience as they prepare for their next game against Clemson, aiming to tighten up their execution and turn those flashes of brilliance into a complete performance. This loss seemingly moves the Hokies out of contention for an ACC championship and is going to make getting bowl-eligible difficult with the road ahead. We’ll see what happens next week with Clemson but the Hokies have one heck of a mountain to climb.
