Virginia Tech Football: 3 Hokies’ keys to beating Purdue
By Scott Roche
Coming off of a 36-17 win over Old Dominion last Saturday night at Lane Stadium, the Virginia Tech football team is looking for a second consecutive win this Saturday afternoon when the Hokies host Purdue in a non-conference game.
It wasn’t a perfect game last week for coach Brent Pry and his team? No, but they are not disputing that. What looked like a very tough game in the preseason, now looks like a game that is winnable at home. Here are three keys to a second straight Virginia Tech win to start the 2023 season.
1. Score early and create doubt for Purdue
Last week against Fresno State, Purdue was not able to rally and lost to the Bulldogs at home, which was one of the more surprising results of the weekend. I’m not saying it was up there with Duke beating Clemson or Colorado taking down TCU, but it was a surprising result.
Purdue could not stop Fresno State’s passing game and the Boilermakers’ are going through a transition under first-year coach Ryan Walters, who took over Jeff Brohm who left for Louisville last season. They also were hit by the transfer portal and are not the same team that went to the Big Ten championship game against Michigan last December.
It was a long week in West Lafayette and there is doubt in the back of Purdue’s mind. Getting ahead at home with the crowd on their side is big for the Hokies.