Virginia Tech football report card after demoralizing loss to Rutgers

Looking to pick up a statement win before ACC play begins, it was more of the same for the Virginia Tech football team. Another slow start in the first half, an early deficit of multiple scores and a late rally only to come up short in a 26-23 loss to Rutgers.

Through four weeks, the Hokies sit at 2-2 as ACC play begins Friday night at Miami. Things are only going to get harder for Brent Pry and his team as a cross-country trip to Stanford follows before a bye week and who knows what Virginia Tech's record will be. Before ACC play begins, let's grade the Hokies for their latest result against the Scarlet Knights.

Virginia Tech football report card vs. Rutgers

Once again, Virginia Tech fans sold out Lane Stadium and they get an A+ for sticking things out until the fourth quarter when the Hokies rallied to tie the game. In the end, however, it wasn't enough as even Virginia Tech fans at home were stunned.

Another game where the Hokies started slow, looked unprepared and in the end, were outcoached. It seems like it takes too long for offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen to find a rhythm with the offense while the defense keeps getting hurt by the same play. It's taking just way too long each week for adjustments to be made.

So after getting a stop defensively, the Hokies forced a punt, but a fumble on the return just adds to another week of mistakes by the special teams unit. Jaylin Lane did make up for that with a big return in the second half, but mistakes in special teams right now are compounding matters for Virginia Tech.