Kyron Drones runs, passes Virginia Tech past Old Dominion, 37-17

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Old Dominion cornerback Dywan Griffin, center left, breaks up a pass intended for Virginia Tech wide receiver Da’Quan Felton, center right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Old Dominion quarterback Quinn Henicle (10) runs out of the pocket as he is pursued by Virginia Tech defensive lineman Keyshawn Burgos (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Old Dominion during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones, center top, reaches the ball across the goal line for a touchdown against the Old Dominion defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) jumps over the line of scrimmage as he is met by Old Dominion safety Patrick Smith-Young (2) and safety Jahron Manning (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane (25) runs into the end zone for a touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane (25) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane (25) is brought down by Old Dominion cornerback Angelo Rankin Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Old Dominion running back Aaron Young (5) is tackled by Virginia Tech defensive lineman Wilfried Pene (91) and linebacker Sam Brumfield (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Old Dominion quarterback Quinn Henicle (10) celebrates as he crosses into the end zone for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during an NCAA college football game in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

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Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones (1) looks to throw to a teammate during an NCAA college football game against Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

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Old Dominion quarterback Grant Wilson (7) wears a headset on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

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Old Dominion running back Bryce Duke (4) avoids the defense of Virginia Tech safety Mose Phillips III (18) on a run downfield during an NCAA college football game in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

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Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph (2) fumbles while being tackled by Virginia Tech defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland, bottom, during an NCAA college football game in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

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Old Dominion quarterback Quinn Henicle (10) breaks free for a touchdown run in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

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Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne, right, talks with a referee, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) and safety Mose Phillips III (18) celebrate after their defense forced a turnover against Old Dominion in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Old Dominion cornerback Angelo Rankin Jr., center, lies on the ground after getting injured in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Old Dominion running back Aaron Young (5) dives for a fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is chased out of bounds by Old Dominion cornerback Dywan Griffin (23) and safety Markus Knight (29) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs past Old Dominion safety Will Jones II, left, for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Old Dominion in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry, left, congratulates his offense as they come off the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Old Dominion, Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is pressured by Old Dominion defenders Amorie Morrison, left, and Jeremy Mack Jr., second from left, as he throws a pass to his wide receiver Jaylin Lane (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

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The Virginia Tech offensive line breaks a huddle and lines up against Old Dominion during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept 14, 2024, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)

By DENIS P. GORMAN

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Kyron Drones threw for a touchdown and rushed for a score to lead Virginia Tech to a 37-17 win over Old Dominion on Saturday at S.B. Ballard Stadium.

Drones completed 15 of 26 passes for 176 yards for the Hokies (2-1). The junior quarterback also ran for 117 yards on 12 carries. Running back Bhayshul Tuten added 115 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Jaylin Lane caught seven passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Kicker John Love made field goals of 21, 32, and 41 yards.

“We responded in all three phases at some point during this game,” Hokies coach Brent Pry told reporters. “And it was necessary. ”

The Monarchs dropped to 0-3. Freshman quarterback Quinn Henicle ran for a touchdown but completed only 4 of 10 passes for 23 yards. Tariq Sims rushed for 26 yards and a touchdown.

“We (have) to get better,” Old Dominion coach Ricky Rahne said. “That’s the bottom line. We have to be able to sustain drives at a higher level. And you know, there was a moment there in the second quarter when I thought we were playing pretty well up front, moving people around and doing some things like that, but we weren’t able to sustain that into the third and early fourth.”

The Hokies started quickly by scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions.

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Drones hit a wide-open Lane on a post pattern for a 25-yard touchdown to cap the seven-play, 76-yard game-opening drive. The Virginia Tech quarterback extended the Hokies lead to 14-0 on the ensuing possession when he plunged into the end zone from a yard out on fourth-and-goal.

But the Hokies were unable to build upon their early success and the Monarchs were eventually able to find their footing.

Old Dominion cut the deficit in half 1:47 into the second quarter when Henicle faked a handoff and sprinted 65 yards for a touchdown. Ethan Sanchez’s 28-yard field goal with 5:14 left in the quarter brought the Monarchs to within 14-10. The drive began after Love, who had made 18 straight field goals, missed a 33-yarder.

The Hokies began the second half with field goals on their first two possessions to stretch their advantage to 20-10. Tuten added touchdown runs of 16 and 22 yards in the fourth quarter and Love drilled a 41-yard field goal with 5:08 left in the game.

“It’s a good effort,” Pry said.

Sims’ 16-yard touchdown run ended the scoring.

THE TAKEAWAY:

Old Dominion: Henicle, Old Dominion’s third-string quarterback, replaced Colton Joseph late in the first quarter. Joseph was starting in place of the regular starter, Grant Wilson, who was injured in the Monarchs’ 20-14 loss to East Carolina on Sept. 7.

“There was always a plan to play Quinn,” Rahne said. “(I) felt like Quinn gave us a spark and decided to stick with him.”

Virginia Tech: During the Frank Beamer era in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Hokies were renowned for their shutdown defense. Times change. But Virginia Tech’s philosophy hasn’t. The Hokies recorded two turnovers -– a fumble and an interception — in the win.

UP NEXT:

Old Dominion: Visits Bowling Green on Sept. 28.

Virginia Tech: Hosts Rutgers on Saturday.

___

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