Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech aim to run past Georgia Tech

Field Level Media|published: Wed 23rd October, 09:07 2024

Oct 17, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball against Boston College Eagles cornerback Bryquice Brown (19) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Two teams vying for a key Atlantic Coast Conference victory will meet Saturday afternoon when Virginia Tech hosts Georgia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

The Hokies (4-3, 2-1) are seeking their first three-game winning streak since 2019.

Bhayshul Tuten set a school record with 266 rushing yards to go with three rushing touchdowns and a receiving score in Virginia Tech's 42-21 victory over Boston College last week.

For the season, Tuten's 871 rushing yards rank sixth in the nation, and second in the ACC only to North Carolina's Omarion Hampton (901).

Virginia Tech hopes to see its offensive momentum continue Saturday as it prepares for Georgia Tech (5-3, 3-2), which has won four in a row in Blacksburg.

"We appreciate our fans' support; we'll need it again this weekend," Hokies coach Brent Pry said. "Quality opponent, in conference, an awesome opportunity for our football program against a very good football team. (Georgia Tech) has been competitive each game, and I know we'll have a good football team coming in here."

The last time the Yellow Jackets and Hokies met was on Nov. 5, 2022, a 28-27 win by Georgia Tech. In that game, Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron led an 11-point, fourth-quarter rally.

Nearly two years later, it might be Pyron who is preparing to face the Hokies again in Lane Stadium.

After backing up starter Haynes King since the beginning of 2023, Pyron was thrown back into the starting role last Saturday in a 31-13 loss against then-No. 12 Notre Dame. King sustained a shoulder injury in an Oct. 12 win at North Carolina.

However, coach Brent Key is making it clear that the Yellow Jackets haven't come to a QB decision yet.

"Haynes is still day-to-day," Key said. "There was some report that someone had come out with that said he's not playing. There's only one person in the entire stratosphere universe that makes that call, and that's myself. There's been zero call made on that. Are we preparing the other guy to play? Yes. Are we ruling him out? No."

For the season, King has thrown for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns, with one interception. He's added 353 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.

Pyron is 25-for-43 for 333 yards, with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. He's added 105 rushing yards and four scores.

--Field Level Media

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