BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football is set to play its second consecutive away game heading to Marshall on Saturday at noon ET on ESPN2.
The Hokies will face their second Sun Belt Conference opponent of the season after hosting Old Dominion in the opener.How to FollowTV: The game will be televised on ESPN2 with Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) and Taylor McGregor (sideline) on the call.
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.
Streaming: Catch the game online at ESPN.com and in the ESPN mobile app.
Live Audio: Listen to live audio coverage of the matchup at HokieSports.com/Watch or 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 KnowMarshall–Virginia Tech Connection
The matchup between Virginia Tech and Marshall will always have extra significance when the two teams meet because of the connections in the devasting plane crash over 50 years ago. Many are familiar with Marshall's sports-related tragedy when they lost every passenger in the fatal plane crash on November 14, 1970, that carried their football team and staff. Victims who had connections to Virginia Tech included head coach Rick Tolley and defensive backs coach Frank Loria, who both played in the maroon and orange. A very sad moment in sports history and the impacts of that night still ripple in the hearts of Hokie Nation.
Lawson the Tackling Machine
Linebacker Keli Lawson's name has been a constant over the airways registering double-digit tackles in back-to-back weeks. He was named ACC linebacker of the week after recording a career-high 14 tackles against Purdue and followed it up with a team-leading 11 tackles at Rutgers. The Stephens City, Virginia native has also registered a TFL in every contest this season, really showcasing his nose for the football. Given the recent injury bug on the Hokies' defense, Lawson's consistency on the second level provides a rallying point for younger players forced into game action.
Influx of Young Talent
Over the first three weeks of the season, numerous true and redshirt freshmen have played snaps in-game. Following the contest in New Jersey, sixteen players in that grouping have found themselves on the field in some capacity. Head coach Brent Pry has recognized the need to get experience for the young players on the roster and the value of it when injuries occur. "We've got to intelligently roll these guys in the right places for the right amount of snaps and continue to grow their role," Pry said. During his Tuesday press conference, he finished responding to a question by stating, "We've got to do that. It's a long season. And we've got good, talented young guys that just need experience."
Players to Watch Quarterback Kyron Drones: This past weekend against Rutgers, Drones registered his first career start and played his most snaps as a Hokie. Transferring from Baylor this spring, the Pearland, Texas native brings plenty of mobility, arm strength and athleticism to the quarterback position. In his first start, Drones led Tech in rushing with 74 yards and completed 19 of 32 pass attempts for 190 yards and a touchdown.
Tight End Dae'Quan Wright: Stepping into a more significant role following the season-ending injury to offensive captain Nick Gallo, Wright has shared snap output with fellow tight end Benji Gosnell. Wright had his best outing of 2023 against Purdue, hauling in four catches for 77 yards and a career-best 85.8 offensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). The sophomore tight end tied for the second-most targets (5) on Saturday after tying for the most targets (7) the week prior.
Cornerback Derrick Canteen: A transfer from Georgia Southern, Canteen has lined up all over the field for defensive coordinator Chris Marve. The redshirt senior has lined up in the slot, on the boundary and in the box every game this season. Providing support in the run game, he has significantly improved his run defense grade (84.5) compared to last season (66.3), according to PFF. Canteen also finished second in tackles against Rutgers with 3 solo, 3 assists and a TFL.