Virginia Tech Football: What did Brent Pry & others say after Purdue loss?

It was a day that no one will forget for a long time when it comes to the Virginia Tech football team. After having their 12 p.m. kickoff time against Purdue at Lane Stadium pushed back by 21 minutes because of a weather delay, the two teams entered another delay 9:10 into the game. This one lasted a while.

What a deal it was. Rain and thunderstorms in the area caused a five-hour and 27-minute delay that nearly canceled the game, but Purdue first-year coach Ryan Walters was not having it after traveling from West Lafayette for the non-conference game.

“We did not want to do that,” Walters said of canceling. “We got in touch with our pilots, and they said as long as we were taking off by 4 in the morning, we were good. I figured if we could start playing by 1 a.m., we’d be in good shape. You only get 12 guaranteed opportunities, so I didn’t want to waste this one.”

Walters was rewarded with a hard-fought 24-17 victory to even their record at 1-1 and his first career head coaching win. Hokies coach Brent Pry also spoke after the game and spoke on several topics. Here is what he had to say with some reaction to his quotes.

First, Pry spoke about bringing in backup quarterback Kyron Drones for the final drive of the game to replace Grant Wells.

"“We want to play Kyron, but there are times where Grant gives us the best chance. … I’m excited about what Kyron did tonight. We need to really commit to people defend Drones as much as they need to defend Grant.”"

Let’s be honest here, Wells was not 100% the entire second half. He was playing with a noticeable limp after taking multiple shots from the Purdue defense. This move should have happened long before the game’s final drive.

Pry spoke about the lack of running game that finished the game with just 11 rushing yards and a 13-yard fourth-quarter run by Drones being the only reason they didn’t finish with minus rushing yards.

"“I think we hit one or two in the second half, but [Purdue] was awful big. … We wanted to push it to the perimeter a little bit more, … but hats off to those guys. We’ve got to find ways to run the ball. … We’ve got to be a little more creative there.”"

If this is how the Hokies running game is going to be all season, then it’s going to be a long fall in Blacksburg. Drones brings a different skill set than Wells and could cause problems for defense’s moving forward.

Pry would not comment on the to Ali Jennings in the first quarter, but wide receiver Stephen Gosnell did.

"“That was tragic. Sending prayers out to him.”"

With Pry not commenting and Gosnell’s comment, it doesn’t sound good for Jennings and Virginia Tech. He was seen during the weather delay leaving the Tech locker room with his left foot in a boot. He was one of the few players on this team they could not afford to lose.