Heading into their second-ever matchup, the Hokies and Boilermakers are searching for a big-time non-conference victory when they meet in Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for noon ET with the game being aired on ESPN2.
Tuten On The Loose
It's no secret that the addition of Bhayshul Tuten to Tech's backfield was supposed to do wonders for the Hokies' offensive attack in Brent Pry's second year at the helm, with the junior running back showcasing his high level of physicality in the 36-17 win over Old Dominion this past Saturday night.
The North Carolina A&T transfer rushed for 55 yards on 19 carries in the 19-point rout, breaking a whopping 10 total tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, good for second in the nation on opening weekend.
Utilizing every bit of his 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame, Tuten certainly showed off some capable skills in his first game following the transition to the Power Five level. Now set to face off against a Big Ten opponent, another opportunity awaits after Purdue allowed nearly five yards a carry in a loss to Fresno State to the Bulldogs' top back.
New Flavor Mixed With Corps Success
Following a title in the Big Ten East Division in 2022, the Boilermakers come in with a brand new group from West Lafayette under first-year head coach Ryan Walters.
The former Illinois defensive coordinator saw just four starters return on the defensive side of the ball, with the offense seeing a fairly new shake-up as well.
Quarterback Hudson Card takes over the reins as Purdue's starting signal-caller. The ex-Texas Longhorn threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening loss to Fresno State. Card also combined to throw for over 1,500 yards with 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions in his previous two seasons suiting up in the Big 12, showing off his play-making abilities now at two separate stops.
The quartet of starting tailback Devin Mockobee, receivers TJ Sheffield and Deion Burks and converted wideout Tyrone Tracy Jr. return to the fold in 2023, but will have to learn under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who left West Virginia to be the Boilermakers' new play-caller. Each adds quite an element for Purdue's offensive strike.
Mockobee, who ran for nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns last season, started his 2023 off with a 60-yard performance and a touchdown in the week one loss.
Sheffield, a sixth-year senior, caught 46 passes for 480 yards and four touchdowns in 2022, and both Burks and Tracy Jr. each had huge weekends to open up the 2023 campaign. Burks went for 152 yards and four touchdowns. Tracy Jr. returned a kickoff 98 yards to the house, something the Hokies have only allowed once since 2013.
Air It Out
Though just a one game sample size, Purdue's defense allowed an alarming 371 yards in the air to Fresno State. That's something Tech should be able to take advantage of.
With the offseason additions of transfer receivers Ali Jennings, Jaylin Lane and Da'Quan Felton, Grant Wells will likely utilize those guys in the air to try and hit some of his top end targets.
Both Jennings and Lane combined for 141 yards and three touchdowns this past weekend in the victory over ODU, with Da'Quan Felton tallying a reception that went for 34 yards in his debut suiting up in the maroon and orange.
There's much to look forward to this upcoming weekend with the Boilermakers coming to town, and the passing game's potential serves as a major reason why as Tech looks to go 2-0 in 2023.