Grading the Boilermakers: Purdue-Virginia Tech

As? Bs? Cs? What grades did we hand out after Purdue’s 24-17 triumph at Virginia Tech?

Rushing offense

Give Devin Mockobee the ball, good things happen. Pretty simple, huh? He was a featured weapon from the opening snap, carrying 21 times for 95 yards and a TD. He also caught a pass. Tyrone Tracy is a nice complement, bringing a more physical and strong component, flashing 51 yards rushing on four totes. And we saw Hudson Card used more in the run game … and it was good. Final totals: 46 rushes for 179 yards, notching six runs of 10 or more yards. Give the line some credit. Bottle this effort.

Grade: A

Passing offense

Card continues to be efficient, hitting 68 percent of his passes for 248 yards. And he has yet to toss an INT as a Boilermaker. It’s impossible not to be impressed with his quick, accurate and strong release. And Card is elite at buying time to pass. Who would have thought TE Max Klare would lead the way with eight catches? Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen is developing into something. Deion Burks had just one catch on four targets. Huh? Good to see TE Garrett Miller get his first action and make his first catch since 2021. One overall quibble: few big plays (five passes over 15 yards).

Grade: B

Offense overall

A lot to like after generating 427 yards. Yes, there was a malaise coming out of the 5-hour-plus delay, and the attack scored just once in its last 10 possessions. But the offense built a 17-0 lead and delivered after Virginia Tech had forged a 17-17 time. Oh, and Purdue got better on third downs, converting 7-of-17 (42 percent) after going 3-of-12 (25 percent) in the opener. But seeing Card get stuffed on a 4th-and-one stung.

Grade: B+

Rushing defense

Here’s all you need to know: Purdue held Virginia Tech to just 11 rushing yards, the fewest the program ever has yielded on the road. It was the best rush defense effort since it held Louisville to -31 in 1987 in a 22-22 tie in Ross-Ade. It was the best rush D of the 21st century by two yards, as Purdue held Arizona to just 13 yards in a 31-24 win in the desert in 2005. Getting nine TFLs helped the Boilermakers on this soggy day.

Grade: A

Passing defense

Virginia Tech hit less than half of its passes, but it often found targets wide open and finished with 275 yards. Purdue’s pass D was helped by a strong rush. The Boilers tallied three sacks and eight hurries.

Grade: B-

Defense overall

True freshman S Dillon Thieneman continues to play older than he is, leading the club in tackles for a second time in 2023. He finished with seven, and he also made his second interception of the young season. OLBs Nic Scourton (sack, 3.5 TFLs) and Kydran Jenkins (sack, TFL) continue to be a menace to offenses. DL Isaiah Nichols (sack, 2 TFLs) is better than you think. Bottom line: The Hokies managed just 286 yards, were 2-of-12 on third downs and had two turnovers. Well done, as the Boilers pitched a second-half shutout.

Grade: B+

Special teams

These units continue to play well, for the most part. Jack Ansell is punting better than ever, while Ben Freehill nailed his first career field goal (43 yards). He showed his trademark strong leg on a missed 50-yarder. Keep sending him out there. Tracy, Marquis Wilson and T.J. Sheffield bring juice to the return game. Coverage teams are sound, too.

Grade: B+

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