Hokie ClubFalling short in the second game of the season, Virginia Tech football lost 24-17 to Purdue Saturday in Lane Stadium but finished the game with some noteworthy stats.
For a deeper look at the numbers, view below.
Stats with Salas
The Streak Continues
The Hokies' 17 points scored against the Boilermakers mark the 359th consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored, the fourth-longest active streak in the nation among FBS schools (sixth longest through FBS history).
Hangin' Around
The game was officially scheduled to begin at 12:01 p.m. ET, but lightning in the area pulled both teams off the field. The game finally kicked off at 12:23 p.m. before being stopped at 12:48 p.m. due to lightning being within a 10-mile radius. The 5-hour, 27-minute delay for weather that occurred with 5:50 to go in the first quarter was the first in-game delay at Lane Stadium for a regular-season game. Officially any weather delays during the game are not included with the time of game in the box score, but the 8 hours and 35 minutes total elapsed time from the opening kickoff to the game clock hitting 0:00 has to be up there for the longest game in Virginia Tech history. From what we could find, the 5:27 delay is the longest in college football history. The previous record for an in-game delay was 3 hours and 55 minutes between TCU and Kansas State in 2017. In 2021, East Carolina and Houston had the start of their game delayed for 5 hours and 20 minutes.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Yesterday's official rainfall total according to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg topped out at 4.41". Rainfall totals date back to 1893 and yesterday set the record for most rain on Sept. 9 (1.20" in 1909), daily maximum rainfall for the month (4.39 on Sept. 29, 2015). As for the most rain ever on a single day, yesterday's rain falls in second place behind 4.48" on Aug. 14, 1940. For comparison, the Texas A&M game in the midsts of Hurricane Isabel on Sept. 18, 2003 only had 1.05" of rain. The Georgia Tech game on Aug. 27, 2000 that ended up canceling the game due to lightning and unplayable field conditions saw 1.96" of rain. How about a shout-out to the great grounds crew at Lane Stadium for getting the field ready for play after the record setting rain.
Defensive Duo
Jalen Stroman (14) and Keli Lawson (14) combined for 28 tackles on the day for the Hokies. The last time two players combined for 28 tackles was when Alan Tisdale and Rayshard Ashby both had 14 tackles on Dec. 31, 2019, against Kentucky in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Belk Bowl. It marked career highs for both players.
Chunk Plays
Having an explosive offense results in chunk plays, which are plays of 20 or more yards, and the Hokies racked up seven plays on offense of such caliber, with all being in the air. The longest play of the day for the Tech offense was a pass from quarterback Grant Wells to wide receiver Stephen Gosnell for 39 yards in the third quarter. Kyron Drones, who came in for Tech in its final series of the game, completed a 26-yard ball to tight end Dae'Quan Wright to begin the drive. Against Old Dominion, Tech had five chunk plays on offense.
Stops on Money Downs
Third downs, known as money downs, were when the Tech defense got on a hot streak of stopping the Boilermakers following the delay. The Hokies put together eight consecutive stops on third down through the end of the third quarter, marking their most consecutive stops in a game since the Boston College game in 2022. In that game, the Eagle's first nine third down conversions through the start of the third quarter failed.
Tech Playmakers
What a Boot
Special teams captain and punter Peter Moore has been very serviceable the first two games at flipping the field position for Tech's defense. The redshirt junior is averaging nearly 47 yards per punt, and his longest punt per game has been at least 55 yards in both contests. This consistency causes opposing teams to start their drives closer to their end zone. Moore did exactly that against the Boilermakers, downing two punts inside the five-yard line. In his most active game of the season, the Davidsonville, Maryland native quickly proved why he was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list for the nation's top punter.
Fast Lane to the Endzone
During fall camp, one of the biggest talking points was the addition of transfer receivers Jaylin Lane, Ali Jennings and Da'Quan Felton. Arriving from Middle Tennessee, Lane has established himself as the premier inside receiver on the team, with 98% of snaps coming from the slot this season. Yet what makes his skill set so special is his ability to produce after the catch, averaging eight yards after the catch against Purdue. Lane also scored a touchdown in his straight game, a play that led to the Hokies tying the game 17-17 before halftime.
Living in the Backfield
Defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland had a very strong opening performance against Old Dominion, wreaking havoc in the backfield. APR found himself making plays in the backfield for the second straight week, finishing the game with two tackles for a loss, matching his total from week one. The former Florida Gator brings great speed off the edge and is a good running mate to teammate Keyshawn Burgos, who registered a TFL as well for the second straight week.