This Saturday night marks the return of Hokie Nation to Lane Stadium as the Virginia Tech football team hosts its 2022 home opener against ACC foe Boston College.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET under the lights, with ACC Network's The Huddle in town, and tickets are still available starting at $65. This weekend's contest will also be Tech's annual Orange Effect game. Fans can order this year's T-shirt online, although shipping is not guaranteed prior to gameday, or pick one up on Saturday from the Hokie Shop's trailer in Lot 4.
How to Follow
TV: Saturday's game will be televised on ACC Network with Dave O'Brien (play-by-play), Tim Hasselback (analyst) and Kelsey Riggs (sideline) on the call.
Radio: The Virginia Tech Sports Network, including its flagship station 105.3 FM, "The Bear," in Blacksburg. will carry Saturday's game over the airwaves. Bill Roth will handle play-by-play duties while Mike Burnop provides color commentary and Zach Mackey reports from the sideline.
Streaming: Catch the game online at ESPN.com and in the ESPN mobile app.
Live Audio: Listen to live audio coverage of Saturday's game at HokieSports.com/Watch and in the HokieSports mobile app.
Live Stats: Monitor the game through live stats on HokieSports.com, including play-by-play updates and full team and individual statistics.
Social Media: Stay connected with the Hokies on Twitter (@HokiesFB), Instagram (@hokiesfb) and Facebook (@VirginiaTechFB).
Three Things to Know
1. The Hokies have had success at home early. Tech is 103-23-1 for a .815 winning percentage in home openers since its opening season in 1892, and is currently on a six-game winning streak in home openers dating back to 2016. Since 1988, Tech has gone an impressive 31-3 (.912) in home openers, with its last loss coming against then-No. 1 Ohio State 42-24.
2. Tech starts strong against ACC foes in Lane. Though it's been rare for Tech's first home game to be league play, with it only happening three times since it joined the ACC in 2004, as it typically plays a nonconference foe, it has been able to be undefeated in those games. Playing off the crowd of Hokie Nation that is licking its chops to cheer on its team, Tech has beaten Georgia Tech (2012), NC State (2020) and then-No. 10 North Carolina (2021), with two of the three outings being one-score games and the electric environment being the difference. Lastly, Tech will be playing in its 20th Orange Effect game (Tech fans wear orange) and is 13-6 in those matchups.
3. Some history between Tech and BC. The two schools have been in the same conference twice, as the pair was in the BIG EAST together for over a decade (1993-03), then Tech jumped to the ACC in '04 and the Eagles followed in '05. The Hokies lead the all-time series 19-11 (.663) and are 8-5 at home versus the Eagles. The Hokies flexed their dominance over the Eagles when the two were in the BIG EAST, owning an 8-3 (.727) advantage, while it's been a little more neck and neck after the two arrived to the ACC (11-8, .579).
Top Performers of Week 1
Running back Keshawn King: King had a breakout performance in Norfolk, finishing with 111 rushing yards on 19 carries to go along with a 6-yard touchdown reception. It marked his second career 100-yard outing on the ground and the most rushing yards by a Tech player in a season opener since Trey Edmunds notched 132 rushing yards against Alabama back on Aug. 31, 2013.
Linebacker Dax Hollifield: Hollifield did a little bit of everything against Old Dominion. He finished with 10 tackes, including 1.5 TFL, to go along with two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery, showcasing his versatility as one of the best linebackers in the ACC. Hollifield's 10 tackles were the most by a Hokie in a season opener since Rayshard Ashby's 13 tackles against Boston College on Aug. 31, 2019. He also became just the second player since 2007 to record two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in the same game.
Tight end Nick Gallo: Gallo emerged as a top target for quarterback Grant Wells in Week 1, recording career highs with seven catches and 49 receiving yards to lead the Hokies in both categories.
Defensive back Nasir Peoples: Peoples asserted himself well against ODU, tying Hollifield for the team lead in tackles with 10, including several big hits and a key solo stop on third down. He also added 1.5 TFL to his stat line on Friday night.