Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from frustrating loss to Marshall

It has been a long time since the Marshall football team had beaten Virginia Tech. Saturday afternoon at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia, they got a chance to beat the Hokies for the first time since 1940. They didn’t waste their opportunity.

The Hokies looked like they came ready to play and marched down the field on the game’s opening possession and scored a touchdown for a quick 7-0 lead on a 75-yard drive. After that, it was all Marshall and the Sun Belt Conference opponent put their foot down and Virginia Tech was not able to answer.

The Thundering Hurd outscored the Hokies, 24-10, following the game’s opening drive, and for the third straight week, the defense proved that they can still not stop the run. On the other side of the ball, Virginia Tech had some questionable play calling as the game went along and it played a big part in them digging a hole that they could come out of in a 24-17 loss.

Penalties, questionable play calling, and a lack of discipline have been the calling card through the first four games and unless that changes, it’s going to be more of the same going forward. Here are three takeaways from what was Tech’s third straight loss.