Hokies WR Ali Jennings Out For Rutgers; QB Grant Wells, WR Jaylin Lane Among Those Questionable

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

September 12, 2023 32

Hokies wideout Ali Jennings has been ruled out for the Rutgers game on Saturday. (Ivan Morozov)

Hokies receiver Ali Jennings is out this week after injuring his ankle against Purdue on Saturday.

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32 Comments

rickbattle September 13, 2023 at 10:25 AM

I think the basic definition of insanity still holds true, trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Rotating in new players into a scheme that doesn’t work won’t make much of a difference. When your flotation sensors indicate you are taking on water it’s time to start the bilge pump.
aint2Hokie4me September 13, 2023 at 12:45 AM

Keep an eye on the weather for Rutsgers. Lee may be nearby. Rainy days and weather delays get me down.
1. vt_atown September 13, 2023 at 2:22 PM
  
  Negatory. All our weather forecasts up here in the Dirty Jers are saying Lee will stay well offshore and Saturday is going to be absolutely perfect fall like weather. Sunny, low to mid 70s with maybe 10mph winds. By gametime on Saturday the center of the storm will be at least 400 miles or more away well off the coast of Cape Cod.
eghokie15 September 12, 2023 at 11:34 PM

Let me say, I love Pry's attitude and the way he corresponds with fans and media. However, I fear this organization just like one's previous aren't putting the best players and coaches in the game. I don't know the reasonings behind what they do but clearly there are better options available in multiple positions.
vtgreg September 12, 2023 at 9:27 PM

Can we rotate in a different OC instead of shuffling around the OL?
GilliesBlue September 12, 2023 at 9:19 PM

Eh, that line is pretty weak. Maybe Pry was covering for TBow but PFF isn't. Also, the difference between Tuten taking handoffs and getting smothered immediately, and Tuten catching a little swing pass and rumbling 30 yards to the house, smashing two tackles en route, is all about the line. Of course that begs the question why isn't TBow using the short passing game more to get the ball to Thomas and Tuten?
1. GilliesBlue September 12, 2023 at 9:22 PM
  
  Sorry, dunno why this double posted like this
U2Hokie September 12, 2023 at 7:59 PM

I like Pry's answer or statement regarding getting the younger linemen in the game - it cant hurt from what I see and my spark a fire under some of the others to get a little meaner. I'd really like to understand more about the 'scheme' and why guys are getting hit in the backfield and why our QB is always handing the ball off and not running when he should and its obvious to 65000 people in the stands - its craziness!
TimmyBarkVT September 12, 2023 at 7:12 PM

“…and Sam Houston State (0), which employs a new coordinator by the name of Brad Cornelsen.” ????
ncook September 12, 2023 at 6:31 PM

i refuse to believe the o-line is that bad. Pry will " pass the buck " but rufuses to acknowledge that his man Bowen is the main problem. With all the talk from Pry early on was how Bowen would game plan to the strengths of his offense was more of the same from Pry,----- B.S .
1. GilliesBlue September 12, 2023 at 9:18 PM
  
  Eh, that line is pretty weak. Maybe Pry was covering for TBow but PFF isn't. Also, the difference between Tuten taking handoffs and getting smothered immediately, and Tuten catching a little swing pass and rumbling 30 yards to the house, smashing two tackles en route, is all about the line. Of course that begs the question why isn't TBow using the short passing game more to get the ball to Thomas and Tuten?
2. DCL September 12, 2023 at 11:56 PM
  
  Not sure what game you are watching. Our OL is horrendous. Schick’s 15 yard penalty in 4th killed us plus he and Clement are getting completely manhandled
Rock Haven Hokie September 12, 2023 at 6:20 PM

Hope Ali Jennings can return before long!
gaholder81 September 12, 2023 at 6:08 PM

I think it's next to impossible to predict ground yardage for the Rutgers game until we know who the QB will be. If it's Drones we might crack 75. If it's Wells maybe 50? That might be generous though since Rutgers is well coached and solid against the run.
zman1978 September 12, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Wouldn’t it be great for the coach to simply do his job, make the tough decisions and accept responsibility for things gone wrong instead of having excuses.
1. DonHo-kieHi September 12, 2023 at 6:50 PM
  
  He was asked a question that requested the excuses ( reasons) and options for improvement for the difficulties with the o-line. Seems like a reasonable answer to me.
  1. phoenixhokie September 12, 2023 at 10:07 PM
    
    It was a reasonable answer. Some of these doorknobs will never EVER be satisfied with anything. So a HC is supposed to throw his OC under the bus? How’d that go with the next crop of young recruits, hmmmmm? Oh, and how does that look to other coaches that you guys say we need to recruit as well to replace this ‘awful … horrible … worst ever ….’ staff?
    1. gaholder81 September 13, 2023 at 11:51 AM
      
      Am I satisfied with one of the worst offenses in the country last year and seems to have regressed this year? No I am not. And I don't believe you really are either. And spare me the lack of talent BS. Anyone watching Tuten and Lane out there knows we have talent. Not to mention how teams with far worse recruiting classes are better than us. You think Rutgers or Marshall has THAT much more talent than the Hokies? We shall see very soon. But you'll probably make up excuses for this horrendous OC then too. Wanting change is not "whining" it's caring. Accepting consistent subpar performances is how a fanbase finds themselves with Nebraska.
Long-Lost Hokie September 12, 2023 at 4:17 PM

It's as if he's just, like, an advisor or something. "Here's my advice, guys." Odd.
pine52x September 12, 2023 at 4:08 PM

Well's injury happened at the end of the 2nd quarter. He played nearly all of the 2nd half. My "guess" is that he starts against Rutgers, unless Pry just wants an excuse to start Drones to see what he can do.
Savagehokie September 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM

I wonder who has Prys back..
1. N2VT2 September 12, 2023 at 6:20 PM
  
  We all do! We went to the well and drank from it. He's everything his predecessor wasn't. Except for one small detail. 43-31 vs 4-9. I know it will improve. Many have mentally bought into a 5 year rebuild. I'm really surprised there is any controversy. 11 yards rushing?
2. VaPoly07 September 12, 2023 at 6:46 PM
  
  What? Dumb post
fosterD1 September 12, 2023 at 3:57 PM

The team is 1-1 with the loss by 7 points but it feels like they are 0-2 with blowout losses. I’m hoping they can beat Rutgers and Marshall and then find a way to be competitive in ACC play but I’ve got a bad feeling things could go sideways real quick with these injuries. Hoping Drones can spark the O! Maybe he’s the guy??
1. WOJO September 12, 2023 at 5:26 PM
  
  We need a leader to rally the troops Hope Drones can play and win at Rutgers and Marshall
MKD September 12, 2023 at 3:57 PM

If you're going to have Drones starting, or even playing a lot during the Rutgers game, then he needs get at least half of the reps with the number ones this week. Andy, my concern is the offense will be sloppy because Pry and Bowen are so inconsistent between what they say, and what they actually do regarding Drones. His confidence is probably low and now feels the coaches think a hobbled Wells is still a better option than him being 100% healthy. Just my thoughts.
1. WOJO September 12, 2023 at 5:26 PM
  
  We need a leader to rally the troops Hope Drones can play and win at Rutgers and Marshall
2. 134465Hokie September 12, 2023 at 11:26 PM
  
  I'm glad they are your thoughts! KD will get the start and will lead us to victory. It will be his coming out party. GW is a senior, his last hurrah. Time for the future to step up. Time for KD and Pop Watson.
  1. SanibelHokie September 13, 2023 at 9:40 AM
    
    Amen to that!
MV Trumpet September 12, 2023 at 3:48 PM

Andy what’s your prediction for the run game against Rutgers? Do we manage to break 25 yards on the ground? Will Tyler Bowen get a little more creative or will it be another week of Brent Pry asking him to do so in the post-game interview?
Seikoh_04 September 12, 2023 at 3:48 PM

Can somebody get Schiano on line 1 so we can get the real scoop on injuries?
1. 5000 Miles to Blacksburg September 13, 2023 at 9:24 AM
  
  Exactly! Schiano says Jennings had ankle surgery but our coach doesn't seem to know that? Something's not right.

Hokies WR Ali Jennings Out For Rutgers; QB Grant Wells, WR Jaylin Lane Among Those Questionable

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