Virginia Tech football report card from ugly loss at Vanderbilt

Hope and expectations were high for the Virginia Tech football team entering the 2024 season and after just one week, things already have taken a hit with a stunning season-opening 34-27 overtime loss at Vanderbilt. It was not the way the Hokies' fans envisioned the season beginning.

Yes, Vanderbilt is picked to finish last in the SEC, but for one week, the one voter who picked the Commodores to win the conference looks like a genius. This is shaping up to be a long week in Blacksburg for head coach Brent Pry and his staff as they prepare for their home opener against Marshall, let's hand out a report for Saturday's season-opener.

Virginia Tech report card against Vanderbilt

The game was played in Nashville and yet, it sounded and looked like a Hokies' game with the faithful who made the trip from Blacksburg. If there is one thing you can count on, it's that Virginia Tech fans travel and travel well. Very well done.

My goodness, it wasn't the way that Pry was hoping to begin the season. Questionable play-calling, failing to make adjustments on both sides of the ball, and then the topper being an unexcusable third-quarter penalty that led to three Vanderbilt points were the three biggest points in the game. Two players on the field with the same number is just inexcusable. There is no other way to put it.

Once again, John Love was money kicking for the Hokies drilling field goals from 40 and 38 yards and successfully making each extra point. Ali Jennings had one punt return of 17 yards and Peter Moore had three punts that totaled 139 yards. Another successful afternoon for the Hokies special teams.