The 2024 regular season for the Virginia Tech football team has officially come to a close, after securing bowl eligibility and reclaiming the Commonwealth Cup with a resounding victory over in-state rival Virginia last Saturday. As the team shifts focus to their upcoming bowl matchup, let’s take a moment to celebrate the standout performers who defined this season and propelled the Hokies to success.
Rushing Yards: RB Bhayshul Tuten
Capping off an impressive 11-game season, limited to 10 games in full health, running back Bhayshul Tuten delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 1,159 yards to become Virginia Tech’s top rusher. The Paulsboro, New Jersey native etched his name in Hokie history as the first player to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Khalil Herbert in 2020. Tuten hit the milestone against Duke, where he tallied 84 rushing yards and a touchdown. By achieving this benchmark, Tuten joined an elite group of just 16 other Hokies to have rushed for over 1,000 yards, making it the 20th instance in program history.
Tuten was a model of consistency, surpassing 100 rushing yards in six games while racking up 15 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores to co-lead the ACC in total touchdowns. His season-defining moment came in a historic performance against Boston College, where he rushed for 266 yards on just 18 carries, breaking Virginia Tech’s all-time single-game rushing record and scoring four total touchdowns. Tuten’s explosive day featured an 83-yard touchdown run, a 61-yard scoring dash, and a 20-yard touchdown reception. The Hokies’ 42-21 victory was powered by Tuten’s electrifying plays, cementing his season as one of the best by a Virginia Tech running back.
Sacks: DL Antwaun Powell-Ryland
In his redshirt senior season, defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland cemented his place as one of the top pass rushers in college football. Powell-Ryland racked up an impressive 16 sacks, averaging 1.33 per game, tying for second place among FBS sack leaders. His standout campaign included two remarkable four-sack performances against Boston College and Old Dominion, a feat that broke Virginia Tech sports hall of famer Bruce Smith’s record for most career four-sack games.
Beyond his pass-rushing prowess, the redshirt senior tallied 43 total tackles, forced three fumbles, and recovered three more, making his impact felt across every facet of the game.
At 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, Powell-Ryland’s…
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