Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry adamant about playing to Hokies’ strength

There was a lot for Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry and his staff to break down following their season-opening loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday. Both sides of the ball and heck, even special teams were broken down in detail following the disappointing result.

Digging yourself a three-possession hole in the first half on the road, no matter how good or bad the opponent is, is not going to be a key to success many times, if at all. The Hokies defined those odds with a big second-half comeback that saw them take a 27-20 late in the fourth quarter on an Ali Jennings 62-yard touchdown reception. In the end, it wasn’t enough as the Commodores drove late to tie the game and win it in overtime. 

What got them back in the game? Opening up the playbook in the second half and throwing the ball downfield instead of short or screen passes. It opened up the line of scrimmage and allowed Kyron Drones to use with talented wide-receiving core. This is something that Pry is going to make sure they do more beginning this week against Marshall.

"You know, that that's gotta be one of our strengths, is throwing the ball, pushing the ball down the field,'' said Pry. "We saw that in the second half, and, I think as coaches and as the head coach, I gotta make sure that that happens early in the game and we're consistent with it."

As you saw in the second half, the Hokies are a different offense when they’re throwing the ball downfield and stretching out the opposing defense. They have the play-makers to do it and have success. If they can stretch out the Thundering Hurd defense, that should open up the running game for Bhayshul Tuten and Drones which makes them a more dynamic offense and more difficult to defend.