Kyron Drones connects with Ali Jennings on long TD to take lead in final minutes vs. Vanderbilt

Virginia Tech has battled all the way back from a 17-0 deficit to take the lead on Vanderbilt in Nashville. Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones connected with wide receiver Ali Jennings for a 62-yard touchdown with 4:21 remaining in the fourth to give Virginia Tech a 27-20 lead.

Drones delivered a perfect pass to Jennings, hitting the veteran receiver in stride, as he raced untouched down the left sideline and into the end zone.

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You can check out the go-ahead play below:

HOKIES TAKE THE LEAD 👏

📺 @espn x @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/Jxv7niiPyw

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 31, 2024

The catch was only the second of the day for Ali Jennings, but it was obviously a big one. Jennings’ other reception went for 29 yards.

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Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech have been in a back-and-forth battle all afternoon. The Hokies entered the season with a ton of hype after going 7-6 last season and returning a ton of production on both sides of the ball.

However, they got off to a rough start in the season opener. Virginia Tech trailed 17-3 at the half and was outgained 165 to 85 in the opening two quarters. The Hokies finally going going in the second half. It remains to be seen if it will be enough.

Chris Marve recalls first experience with Virginia Tech home crowd

Chris Marve has seen a lot of top environments in college football during his time as a player and a coach. However, very few, if any, are like what he gets to take in each week at Virginia Tech.

Marve, the defensive coordinator for the Hokies, spoke about the energy in Lane Stadium during an appearance on ‘Andy Staples On3’ recently . He began by recalling his first chance to see what it was like there during spring ball and what that showed him about the fanbase in Blacksburg.

“Yeah, I can take you back even before the first game in ’21 – I guess it was ’22. We had the spring game,” said Marve. “You talk about the level of excitement, engagement, just buy-in, and ownership that the community has for the program? I felt it at the spring ball game.”

That then naturally continued later that year into his first season at Virginia Tech in 2022.

“So, you fast-forward a couple of months in 2022? You go to the first home game and you feel the energy and the connection between the community and the program just on an entrance,” said Marve.