ANNAPOLIS, Md. – After a wet and soggy afternoon in Annapolis, Maryland, Virginia Tech made it worthwhile as it defeated Tulane in the Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com.
While the fumbles began to rack up due in large part to the wet conditions, the Hokies fought through it all and yielded rich results on the ground in the second half. Quarterback Kyron Drones finished with 176 rushing yards and three total scores while Bhayshul Tuten finished with 136 yards and two touchdowns. It’s the first time since 2021 that the Hokies had two players rush for over 100 yards. The Hokies total rushing yards was a bowl game record for the program also.
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Virginia Tech ends a 4-game bowl losing streak, winning its first since the 2016 Belk Bowl against Arkansas, 35-24.
It’s halftime at the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland with Virginia Tech leading Tulane 17-10.
As expected, the dreary and wet conditions have played a role early in the game. On the Hokies’ first possession, quarterback Kyron Drones lost the ball on a screen pass, allowing Green Wave linebacker Tyler Grubbs to recover it and return it for a touchdown, an early 7-0 Tulane lead.
But, Virginia Tech regrouped and continued to find success in its rushing attack. John Love tacked on a 35-yard field goal and made the score 7-3.
After going three-and-out, the Hokies punted away to the Green Wave. But it was muffed and recovered by the Hokies at the 11-yard line. From there, Drones ran for Virginia Tech’s first touchdown of the game and a 10-7 advantage.
While Tulane was threatening, it fumbled the ball on the four-yard line thanks to a great play from Pheldarius Payne of the Hokies. Antwaun Powell-Ryland recovered it for the Hokies’ second takeaway of the game.
The Green Wave were without quarterback Justin Ibeita after he was injured with 8:32 remaining in the second quarter. It appeared to be a right leg injury as he was carted off.
Virginia Tech has 181 yards of offense compared to Tulane’s 103. There have been a total of 5 fumbles, but only 3 were turnovers, and an onside kick was recovered by the Hokies at the end of the half.