Hokie ClubPlaying at home for the first time in the month of October, Virginia Tech football will play host to ACC Coastal foe Miami (Fla.) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on RSN at Lane Stadium.
The game is sold out, but fans can purchase tickets through StubHub, the official secondary marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.
For more on what you should know heading into the matchup:
How to Follow
TV: Saturday's game will be televised on Regional Sports Networks (RSN), with Tom Werme (play-by-play), James Bates (analyst) and Wiley Ballard (sideline) on the call. For a list of RSN affiliates.
Streaming: Depending on which market the consumer is in while viewing the game, fans will either be able to watch the contest on Bally Sports/MASN or ESPN.com, with subject to being blacked out.
Radio: The Virginia Tech Sports Network, including its flagship station 105.3 FM "The Bear" in Blacksburg, will carry the contest over the airwaves. Bill Roth will handle play-by-play duties while Mike Burnop provides color commentary and Zach Mackey reports from the sideline.
Live Audio: Listen to live audio coverage of the matchup at HokieSports.com/Watch 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. It's homecoming for the Hokies. A lot will be happening in Blacksburg this week, starting with the Homecoming Kickoff event on Monday night at 6 p.m. at Prairie Quad. Don't miss out on Friday when the Homecoming Parade takes place at 7 p.m. at Washington Street, Main Street and Alumni Mall. Then on Saturday, Hokie Village opens 9 a.m. and will feature live music from the Jared Stout Band, food trucks, games and more. For more information on the festivities.
2. The game will be Maroon Effect. Hokie Nation should wear maroon to the contest and can purchase the official Maroon Effect shirt. However, shipping is not guaranteed prior to gameday, so fans can also pick one up on Saturday from the Hokie Shop's trailer in Lot 4. This will mark Tech's sixth time staging a Maroon Effect against Miami and the Hokies are 10-7 all-time in Maroon Effect games since the first one in 2002.
3. Both teams are fighting for their first win in October. As both teams are entering Saturday on three-game losing streaks, the Hokies seem to have some momentum on their side, following their highest point total scored this season at Pitt (29). Tech is getting closer to playing complementary football on all sides, showing glimpses of putting it all together. Miami on the other hand, which was pegged the Coastal favorite in the ACC preseason poll, started the season strong by putting up 70 points in its season opener (vs. Bethune-Cookman), but hasn't scored half of that in a game following that outing. The series history between Hokies and 'Canes stands at 24-15 in favor of Miami.
Top Performers in Week 6
Receiver Kaleb Smith: The fifth-year senior turned in his best game yet, recording career highs in catches (9) and yards (152) at Pitt last Saturday. Smith, who has shown his ability to stretch the field for the Hokies, hauled in three deep passes, catching a 28-yarder on Tech's opening drive, a 37-yarder late in the first quarter and 30-yarder right before halftime. This season amongst every ACC receiver, Smith grades out (82.7) as the third best in the league, according to PFF.
Running back Malachi Thomas: Playing his first game of the season, Thomas shined with a team-high 84 rushing yards and a touchdown. His longest run was a 29-yarder and he finished the day with 15 carries, while catching five passes in the air for 14 yards. The 84 yards on the ground marked his third-highest total in game and most since his 103-yard outing at Georgia Tech on Oct. 30, 2021.
Linebacker Keonta Jenkins: A linebacker who converted from being a safety this past offseason, Jenkins is coming into his own for head coach Brent Pry. At Pitt, Jenkins caught his first-ever interception, with doing so off a tipped pass. He the finished the day with three tackles and also had a pass deflection. Through six games, the junior is tied for fifth on the team in tackles (21) and has three passes defended.