Opponent View: Virginia Tech
Purdue visits an ACC school for a second season in succession when it travels to Blacksburg, Va., to take on Virginia Tech on Saturday at noon ET on ESPN2 after playing at Syracuse in 2022.
Virginia Tech opened the 2023 season with a 36-17 home win vs. Old Dominion under second-year head coach Brent Pry. This will be the second meeting vs. the program, as Tech took a commanding 51-24 victory in Ross-Ade Stadium in 2015 in a coaching clash that pitted Darrell Hazell vs. Frank Beamer.
The Boilermakers are coming off a 39-35 loss to Fresno State to kickoff the 2023 season and the Ryan Walters’ era. Purdue last started 0-2 in 2018, when the squad lost its first three games, all at Ross-Ade Stadium, before finishing the regular season 6-6 under Jeff Brohm. Before that? Purdue hadn’t started 0-2 since 1996 in Jim Colletto’s final campaign.
Damien Sordelett of the Roanoke (Va.) Times offers insights into the Hokies.
GoldandBlack.com: What can we expect from the Virginia Tech offense?
Sordelett: Virginia Tech’s offense looked markedly better than it did all last season vs. Old Dominion last week when you look at the fact that the Hokies now have some established playmakers, specifically at wide receiver. Saw this against Old Dominion, the ability to go over the top with (WRs) Ali Jennings, Jaylin Lane, Da’Quan Felton, that’s something Tech lacked last season. Kaleb Smith, who later transferred to Notre Dame after last season and medically retired, was really the only option the Hokies had. They’re able to spread the ball around.
The run game didn’t get established much against the Monarchs. But I have a feeling they’ll try to get Bhayshul Tuten and Malachi Thomas more involved in the running game to try to loosen up the Purdue defense to try to get those big shots over the top.
GoldandBlack.com: How does the Hokie defense look?
Sordelett: They are more formidable than they were last year. And it all starts with Florida transfer Antwaun Powell-Ryland off the edge. He’s a guy that they brought in who can win one-on-one battles, and that’s something they didn’t have last season. He had two sacks against Old Dominion. That opens up opportunities for the rest of their defense.
With that pressure, it creates turnover opportunities. The Hokies forced three fumbles, recovered two. Also got an interception. That’s a marked improvement over last season when they had nine takeaways all of last year. To get three in the first game, that’s something that they’re going to try to hopefully duplicate against the Boilermakers.
GoldandBlack.com: How do you see this game unfolding?
Sordelett: I have a feeling it’s going to be probably similar to the Fresno State game for Purdue fans because both teams like to throw the ball, spread things out. It should be an entertaining game. I know for Purdue fans, there’s probably a few plays they want back to have a win over Fresno State and feel a little bit more competent going into this week’s game.
But I do see it being in the 30s (points), maybe even low 40s, to see how this game plays out and it should be a fun atmosphere. Temperatures will be a little bit cooler than they were this past weekend in Virginia. But it should be a great environment.
MORE: First Look | First and 10 | Gold and Black Radio: Purdue pushes ahead after Game 1 loss | Purdue looks for improvement, victory when it treks to raucous Virginia Tech | Three Thoughts From The Weekend: Purdue defensive personnel, Ross-Ade and more | The 3-2-1: Danger! Non-conference road game ahead
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