This stat tells who the starting quarterback at Rutgers should be

Following a 24-17 loss to Purdue at Lane Stadium Saturday night, the discussion begins as to who will be under center Saturday when Virginia Tech travels to Rutgers for Week 3.

Starting quarterback Grant Wells played the entire game against the Boilermakers until the final drive when Hokies coach Brent Pry turned to sophomore transfer Kyrn Drones from Baylor. He led the offense down the field from their own 9-yard line to Purdue territory before turning the ball over on downs. Wells played with a noticeable limp, who starts next week? That will be decided during the week, but this stat should make the decision easy for Pry and his staff.

Wells is 2-10 as quarterback in three seasons when the game is a 1-score game

That’s not promising. Wells has just two wins in 12 games as the primary starter is not what you want to see in a Power 5 starting quarterback. Last season he came up short in fourth-quarter comebacks and this week it was not good against Purdue.

The case could be made that he did not have two of his new wide receivers, Ali Jennings and Jaylin Lane, both of whom suffered injuries Saturday. Jennings was seen leaving the locker room during the second weather delay with his left foot in a boot and Lane was reported by ESPN to have a hamstring injury.

Drones came in and looked good in his one drive throwing the ball and running it. Yes, his throws were not perfect, I get it, but he brings a different dimension to the offense that Wells doesn’t. He can tuck the ball and run it, he can be a threat with the option and Pry said at the beginning of the season when he named Wells the starter, that Drones would play this season. It’s time for him to play and get the start at Rutgers on Saturday.

The case can be made that it was a tough spot he was put into, playing just the last drive of the game, but he didn’t look like he could not handle it. The playbook would be different with Drones under center and don’t expect Pry to tip his hand too early this week in announcing his starter so Rutgers can game plan, but Wells being 2-10 in one score game is all the coaching staff needs to see to make the switch for Week 3.