Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from win over Old Dominion

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Sep 2, 2022; Norfolk, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Alan Tisdale (34) forces Old Dominion Monarchs quarterback Hayden Wolff (11) to fumble during the third quarter at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Virginia Tech’s defense struggled at times but never broke

During the first two possessions of the game, the Hokies’ defense came to play and fed off the energy of the crowd. They stopped Old Dominion on their second possession led to a punt that turned into a safety when the Monarchs snapped the ball through the end zone.

After that Old Dominion quarterback Grant Wilson settled in and caused problems for Tech. A combination of the no-huddle and option, Wilson mixed things up and they started moving the ball on a defense that entered the game with a lot of question marks.

Wilson, who transferred to ODU from Fordham, was able to get the passing game going and he connected with Dominic Dutton, a transfer from South Carolina who ran track for the Gamecocks, for a second-quarter touchdown pass.

In the third quarter, the Hokies forced two turnovers and spent most of the bending, but not breaking. Going forward, they need to shore up their run defense as ODU was able to rush for 182 yards after averaging just 92 yards a game last season.

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