Virginia Tech Football: 3 eye-opening takeaways from win over Marshall

The Virginia Tech football team bounced back from a season-opening loss at Vanderbilt last weekend with a 31-14 win at home over Marshall in their home opener on Saturday. It wasn't pretty at times for sure, but a win is a win, and head coach Brent Pry and his team will take it.

Following the win, there are still a lot of concerns that need to be fixed by the Hokies going forward beginning next weekend at Old Dominion. After evening their record at 1-1, here are three eye-opening takeaways after beating the Hurd.

Another slow start on offense

We were told this week was going to be different in the first half after a slow start at Vanderbilt offensively with just three first-half points. Well, it was another slow start against Marshall with the offense putting up just three points with the lone touchdown coming on a Jaylin Lane punt return in the first quarter.

Yes, adjustments were made a halftime, but if this is going to be a trend going forward, then the Hokies are going to be in trouble. It cost them against the Commodores, but they were lucky they were playing Marshall at home.

Offensive line woes continue

The offensive line had another rough first 30 minutes. Quarterback Kyron Drones was flushed out of the pocket a number of times to avoid a sack, the holes for the running game were not opening quick enough and the offense converted just one of nine third downs, mainly because they were in a handful of third and longs.

Again, they did a better job in the second half as the Hokies came out and established the run, but at this rate, Drones taking as many hits as he is and being flushed out of the pocket and not being allowed to get to all of his reads is recipe for disaster at some point. Most ACC defensive lines are going cause numerous problems this fall unless things get fixed. It's not going to be easy.

Defensive had a big bounce-back game

Losing Dorian Strong is a big blow to the Hokies secondary this past weekend and going forward for as long as he's going to be out, but for one week, the defense, mainly the secondary, responded to a shaky first outing in Nashville.

Mose Phillips was good again, Dante Lovett is an emerging star as he had some big pass breakups and passes defended in the second half, including the fourth quarter that led to a pair of turnovers on downs. Mansoor Delane was picked on by Vandy last weekend and as expected, he was again by Marshall, but he responded this week and even had an interception on a tipped ball in the third quarter. The defensive line was good as were the linebackers. At least Chris Marve had his unit ready.

It's time to turn the page to Old Dominion for the Hokies after a day of reflection on Sunday following a non-conference win.