Virginia Tech and Old Dominion kick off their 2022 campaigns on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU in Norfolk, Virginia, and it will be just the fourth time they will meet on the football field, where the Hokies lead the series 2-1.
The two schools, which are roughly 300 miles apart, began the series in 2017 in Blacksburg, a convincing 38-0 victory for the Hokies. The matchup will continue going forward, too, with the Monarchs returning to Lane Stadium in 2023 for Tech's season opener and will play eight times after that from 2024-31. For a closer look of the two's history, read below for Tech's Series Snapshot, presented by AAA.
MOST RECENT MATCHUP
Sept. 7, 2019 - Virginia Tech 31, Old Dominion 17 (Blacksburg, Va.)
In the most recent matchup, which was Tech's home opener, the Hokies were coming off a tough, 35-28 loss at Boston College to begin the season, but found their groove early against the Monarchs, thanks to a series-opening touchdown drive. Tech would get up 17-3 at halftime and go on to win 31-17 behind quarterback Ryan Willis throwing for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 34 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Arguably the top play of the game was when Willis connected with receiver Hezekiah Grimsley for a one-handed touchdown catch in the second quarter.
Receiver Hezekiah Grimsley makes a one-handed catch over Old Dominion's Geronda Hall for a 9-yard touchdown.
Linebaker Rayshard Ashby and defensive lineman Jarrod Hewitt tackle ODU quarterback Stone Smartt.
Receiver Hezekiah Grimsley and tight end Dalton Keene celebrate a touchdown together.
Defensive back Chamarri Conner tackles ODU's Kesean Strong.
RELATED LINKS
- Soundbites: Weekly press conference (Old Dominion)
- Virginia Tech Football tickets continue to sell at rapid pace
- Sign up for Key Plays Newsletter
FIRST MATCHUP
Sept. 23, 2017 - Virginia Tech 38, Old Dominion 0 (Blacksburg, Va.)
In its first-ever matchup between the two programs, Tech won single-handedly in a 38-0 shutout to mark former defensive coordinator Bud Foster's 33rd career shutout. The Hokies wouldn't give ODU any room on offense, forcing the Monarchs to converting just 2-for-14 third-down chances and allowed less than 150 yards of total offense. On the offensive side for the Hokies, running back Steven Peoples combined for 135 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. A receiving and running touchdown from Peoples in the last six minutes of the first half helped Tech go into the locker room with a 17-0 lead. Under center, quarterback Josh Jackson accounted for 298 yards in the air and had three touchdowns himself.
Running Steven Peoples and tight end Chris Cunningham celebrate a touchdown.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds scans the the field ahead of snap.
Kicker Joey Slye connects on a 31-yard field goal.
Offensive lineman Wyatt Teller blocks Old Dominion's Juwan Ross.