In a rain-affected Military Bowl, Virginia Tech's offense and special teams had a mixed performance against Tulane. Quarterback Kyron Drones had notable moments, including a successful run on fourth-and-2, and recovering from a fumble that resulted in a 39-yard touchdown return for Tulane's Tyler Grubbs, to later scoring an 11-yard rushing touchdown, putting Virginia Tech ahead. The Hokies also capitalized on a muffed punt by Tulane, with Da'Wain Lofton, who is in the transfer portal, recovering the ball at the Tulane 11, leading to Virginia Tech taking a 10-7 lead. However, Virginia Tech also experienced setbacks, including a dropped pass by Bhayshul Tuten on a third-and-short situation, Tuten being stopped at the goal line, and a muffed punt that resulted in a fumble out of bounds. Tulane's quarterback Justin Ibieta, who previously tore his labrum, suffered a right leg injury, requiring an air cast and carting off the field. Meanwhile, Will Karoll of Tulane set a Military Bowl record with a 61-yard punt, pinning Virginia Tech at their 7-yard line. Additionally, Drones completed a pass to himself for no gain, Tuten had two nice runs, and Will Johnson recovered a squib kick for Virginia Tech.
Will Johnson recovers the squib kick after it went off a Tulane player. #Hokies have 5 seconds left and no timeouts. Maybe time for a Drones' heave?
Tuten stuffed right at the goal line. #Hokies didn't get the timeout called right away. There's 10 seconds left. Let too much time run off there.
Fade to Da'Quan Felton is incomplete. But PI on Tulane. FIrst and goal for the #Hokies at the 2. Somehow there's only 14 seconds left. That can't be right.
Bhayshul Tuten was a half step away from housing that one. Two nice runs for him this drive. #Hokies to the Tulane 41.
Right leg injury for #Tulane's Justin Ibieta. Being carted to the locker room.
Tulane QB Justin Ibeita about to be carted off after that run play. Looks like they're putting an air cast on his right leg. #Hokies
Tulane quarterback Justin Ibieta hurt on a run around the left side. The staff is calling for a cart to take him off the field. That isn't good.
Justin Ibieta is down after the first play of #Tulane series. Came up gimpy after run and then fell down a few seconds later.
Kyron Drones gets a completion to himself on a tipped pass. It goes for no gain. #Hokies Peter Moore's punt is fair caught at the Tulane 46. Now we get the Presidents' Race.
Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones strikes for an 11-yd rushing TD to put VT ahead at the Military Bowl! https://t.co/mkpYRLtv2m
Tulane muffed punt, #Hokies recovery, Drones TD run makes it 10-7 Virginia Tech with 2:20 left in the first. How about Da'Wain Lofton, who's in the transfer portal, making a play on that special teams mistake?
Muffed punt by Tulane on a boomer by Peter Moore. Da'Wain Lofton recovers it for the #Hokies at the Green Wave 11.
#Hokies try a screen out wide to Tuten on third-and-short. Ball zipped right through his hands. VT will punt.
Justin Ibieta in for 1st full series since tearing labrum against Houston last season. Showed rust on bounce pass on first play, then tried to run twice. Second straight 3-and-out for #Tulane but 61-yard punt by Will Karoll pins Va Tech at 7. Longest punt in Military Bowl annals.
#Hokies with another three-and-out. The defense has been on the field for six plays. Will Karoll's 61-yard punt (a Military Bowl record) puts Tech at the 7.
Bhayshul Tuten stopped short on a third-and-short run. Fumbled it out of bounds. Rain is a factor today, for sure. #Hokies go for it on fourth-and-2 and pick it up on a Drones run. Goes all the way to the Tulane 36.
For the second straight game, #Tulane comes up with huge defensive play on opening series. This time, it's Tyler Grubbs who gets the 39-yard TD return when Va Tech QB Kyron Drones drops ball. Against SMU, it was Devean Deveal with the strip and fumble return to 1.