Ten observations: Purdue-Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Here’s what has us talking after Purdue’s 24-17 win at Virginia Tech.

1 – Victory No. 1

Ryan Walters almost got his maiden victory as Purdue coach–and as a head coach–last week. He delivered it this week, bringing home a workmanlike win at Virginia Tech. And Walters did as an underdog on this day. This victory takes the sting out last week’s season-opening 39-35 loss at home to Fresno State. Purdue showed an ability to fight through lots of adversity today. Plenty to build on moving forward.

“It makes me want a lot more,” said Walters. “I’m really proud of the guys. This is a unique game in and of itself just with the delay. To get that first one on the road against a quality opponent. I thought the guys showed a lot of resiliency and just how they responded to adversity. They practice the right way and prepare the right way throughout the week and it showed up today.”

2 – Feeding Mockobee

Last week, Devin Mockobee never got in a groove, doing most of his damage in the second half en route to 60 yards rushing on 16 totes. Mockobee was fed today and excelled, running 21 times for 95 yards and score.

“That was huge, especially down the stretch,” said Walters. “I’ve been saying, we’re gonna throw the ball to score points, but you gotta be able to run it to win games.”

3 – Welcome back, No. 88

The fifth-year senior Garrett Miller played for the first time since 2021 after missing 2022 with a knee injury suffered in camp. And Miller wasted no time getting involved, making a catch for eight yards on the opening drive of the game. The last time Miller made a reception was in the 2021 Music City Bowl win vs. Tennessee. He didn’t play much today, but this was a good first step for a guy many consider to be Purdue’s top NFL draft prospect.

4 – His name is Max Klare. Learn it

While Miller was back, he was limited on this night. That allowed Purdue to use promising redshirt freshman tight end Max Klare more. And, he continues to shine. Klare made a team-high eight catches for 64 yards vs. the Hokies. The kid is gonna be good.

“What you’re seeing is what we’ve been seeing since spring ball,” said Walters. “He’s big, physical and can really catch the ball at the tight end position and create mismatches and matchup issues out on the perimeter and so he’ll be a weapon for us, for sure.

5 – Kid Thieneman

That’s two career games, two career INTs for true freshman Dillon Thieneman. He also had a team-high seven tackles. Take a bow. This is going to be fun to watch.

6 – Lightning strikes

The game was set to start at noon ET but was delayed by weather before it even began. And, just 9:10 into the opening quarter, it was delayed again by weather. The skies opened again at 12:48 p.m. ET as lightning and thunder filled the Blacksburg air to cause a 5-hour, 27-minute delay. Finally, at 8:58 p.m., the game was finished. And, for Purdue, it was worth the wait, as it leveled its record at 1-1.

“There was discussion about maybe starting at three o’clock,” said Walters. “We found out that was not the case and it was gonna be more closer to seven. We had the guys take the pads off. Really try to forget about the game for a little while. So, we had a big whiteboard in there in the locker room and most the offense guys were playing hangman for a while. Told him to walk around the concourse, just kind of get their mind off the game for a little bit.

“And then once we got an idea about when we’re gonna play again, we just kind of went through our pregame routine. Guys got locked back in and went out there and played and played well.”

7 – Third downs better

A week ago, Purdue struggled mightily on third downs, converting just 18 percent on offense (2 of 11) and allowing Fresno State to convert 65 percent (11 of 17). Today, the Boilermaker offense was 7-of-17, while the defense held Tech to 2-of-12 on third downs.

8 – Dominating D

The Purdue has its issues stopping the pass, but the unit played well most of this night, especially in the second half when Tech was shutout and had only 286 yards (11 rushing). Purdue had three sacks, nine TFLs and two picks in the game. Last week, the D couldn’t get one last stop to seal a win. It did this week.

“Just guys playing within the framework of the scheme,” said Walters. “Everybody has to do their job and when they do, plays will come to you. And so you’ll be in a position to make the plays when they come to you. Guys who understood that because of some of the mistakes that we made a week ago. Now they got to feel what happens when you don’t do that.”

9 – Was the game almost canceled?

“They had talked about it, maybe like being a no contest,” said Walters. “We did not want to do that. We got in touch with our pilots and they said as long as we’re taking off by four o’clock in the morning, we’re good. So, I figured if we could start playing again by 1 a.m., you’d be in good shape.

“You only get 12 guaranteed opportunities and so I didn’t want to waste this one. We had traveled here anyway, we had already prepped all week and especially after last week, really wanted to get out there and play.”

10 – Back on track

This win puts Purdue (1-1) back on track in a crucial September that features four of five games at home. The Boilers let one get away last week vs. Fresno State, but they got it back tonight. Home games loom vs. Syracuse, Wisconsin and Illinois. Can Purdue, which has yet to commit a turnover in 2023, win at least two of those three?