Coach Brent Pry’s optimistic outlook is being tested by injuries at Virginia Tech as Rutgers approaches.
BLACKSBURG, PA When Brent Pry, the football coach at Virginia Tech, talks in public, his tone usually leans towards the positive.
The Hokies’ Week 2 setback to Purdue proved to be a struggle for him to maintain his positive attitude in.
The Boilermakers not only defeated Virginia Tech (1-1) but also physically assaulted them. Pry usually tries to disguise injury news as much as can, but following last Saturday, the Hokies were left with very few curtains to hide behind.
Tuesday, Pry remarked, “We’ve got some guys who are dinged up.” They worked on it on Sunday and Monday and have been receiving a lot of care. We’ll observe how it goes in the practise setting.
The long list begins with former wide receiver Ali Jennings of Old Dominion, who exited the stadium on a cart with a boot on his left foot after being hurt during the Hokies’ second offensive play.
Pry did not go into detail about Jennings’ injuries over the week, but on Monday, he announced that Jennings would not be playing versus Rutgers on Saturday (2-0).
Regarding Jennings, who led the Hokies with five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns in Virginia Tech’s season-opening victory over Old Dominion, Pry stated, “I know he’s out this week, which is unfortunate.” However, we’ll need to keep assessing his circumstances.
Wide receiver Jaylin Lane, another offensive addition to the Hokies via the transfer portal, led Virginia Tech with five catches and a touchdown against Purdue. However, a hamstring injury kept Lane out of the game for a significant portion of the second half.
Pry stated that while he expects to have Lane available on Saturday, the decision would probably be made closer to kickoff. Similarly, Grant Wells, the quarterback at Virginia Tech, has started each of his 13 games. However, on the final offensive series of the game on Saturday, backup Kyron Drones replaced Wells due to a leg injury.
According to Pry on Wednesday, Wells participated in limited practise early in the week. Consequently, at practise, Drones and true freshman Pop Watson, the third-string quarterback, both received more offensive snaps than usual.
“He’s got that backyard ability to make plays and keep plays alive,” Pry said of Watson. “He’s just got some qualities that make you think that he can make something happen here.”
The quarterbacks will have other passing targets available. The third transfer wideout, former Norfolk State and Churchland High standout Da’Quan Felton, is still looking for a breakout game. The Hokies also had success throwing to senior Stephen Gosnell and tight ends Benji Gosnell and Dae’Quan Wright.
The trio combined for 10 catches and 170 yards, much of those the result of short- and mid-range throws.
Others dealing with injuries include special teams player Cole Beck, safety Nasir Peoples and defensive lineman Keyshawn Burgos.
Peoples, who had started 25 straight games before missing the Purdue game, remains questionable.
Regardless who recovers, the Hokies’ defense will be pressed again to slow down an opponent who likes to run the football. Rutgers topped Temple 36-7 last week with the help of 165 rushing yards and a TD from running back Kyle Monagai.
That kind of power offense has complemented the Scarlet Knights’ stingy defense, which has picked off two passes in both of the first two games and allowed just seven points in wins over Northwestern and Temple.
The Hokies struggled stopping the run in the first two weeks, giving up an average of 190 yards.
Still, defensive coordinator Chris Marve said, there has been improvement.
“It certainly got better,” Marve said. “I think the guys were in the right spot more times than not from Week 1 to Week 2. There’s still space we need to converge and eliminate. Certainly when you look at the yardage, it’s not what you want at any capacity, but last week, they averaged 3.9 yards per (carry), so we’re getting better.”
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