Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from loss to Purdue

It was a wild Saturday in Blacksburg. The Virginia Tech football team had the start of their non-conference game against Purdue delayed by 21 minutes because of weather. Then with 5:50 remaining in the first quarter, the game was delayed once again by weather.

This time, the delay lasted nearly five hours with torrential rain and wind that hit the Blacksburg area. At the time, the Boilermakers, who marched down the field on the game’s opening possession held a 7-0 lead.

The news was not good in terms of injuries for the Hokies both before the game and during the first quarter. Cornerback Nasir Peoples did not come out for injuries and missed the game, which was a blow to the secondary against an offense and quarterback Hudson Card who likes to throw the ball.

Then on the Hokies’ opening possession, senior wide receiver Ali Jennings was lost with a left ankle injury and the offense missed their top receiver. After the pay resumed, the Hokies fell behind 17-0, then rallied to tie the game at 17-17 at halftime. In the second half, the Boilermakers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 24-17 win at Lane Stadium.

Here are three takeaways after Virginia Tech fell to 1-1, while it was a big bounce-back win for Purdue to even their record at 1-1 after losing last week at home to Fresno State.