Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Returning from its open week, Virginia Tech football prepares to host Syracuse in Lane Stadium/Worsham Field on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Hokies currently sit at 3-4 and their last matchup was a 30-13 conference win against Wake Forest. Head coach Brent Pry has matched his winning total from his introductory season and aims to reach .500 while moving to 3-1 in the conference. Tickets to the primetime matchup are available starting at $60.
How to FollowTV: The game will be televised on ESPN with Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Dan Mullen (analyst) and Harry Lyles (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).
Two Things to KnowThursday Night Magic
Virginia Tech has found plenty of overall success when playing on Thursday night. Tech is 23-12 all-time when playing during the primetime window. In a stretch ranging from 1998 to 2005, the Hokies won 11 straight Thursday night games, a streak that started and ended against Boston College. The program has evenly split the last six matchups scheduled for Thursday night and is 12-7 when playing in Blacksburg. They will look to recapture some of that magic against Syracuse.
Matchup with History
The Orange and Hokies have met 19 times since the first matchup in 1964. Of all their contests, only five have been non-conference matchups, as the two teams both held conference spots in the Big East and ACC starting in 1992. During their time in the Big East, Tech and Syracuse evenly split their 12 meetings, with No. 4 Virginia Tech winning the final matchup in 2003. Since both programs joined the ACC, Tech is still searching for its first win since the transition after coming up short in 2016 and 2021. However, playing the Orange at home has been a boost for the Hokies, who are 6-3 inside of Lane Stadium.
Players to WatchQuarterback Kyron Drones: After taking over the helm in week three, Kyron Drones has grown tremendously over his first five collegiate starts. The Baylor transfer has displayed his ability as a dual-threat quarterback, accounting for 10 touchdowns this season, with six passing touchdowns and four rushing. In the win over the Demon Deacons, Drones eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark for the first time in his career, a performance that was the fourth-highest grade amongst quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. The Pearland, Texas native has thrown for 549 passing yards with 67% accuracy in his last two home games.
Wide Receiver Jaylin Lane: Slightly past the midpoint of the season, Jaylin Lane has made a name for himself within Lane Stadium. The Middle Tennessee State transfer is proving to be a playmaker with the ball in his hands, scoring a touchdown in every home game this season. Lane recorded his first 100-yard receiving game and first two-touchdown performance as a Hokie against Wake Forest. The Clover, South Carolina native exhibited his breakaway speed on a 75-yard catch and run for his first touchdown of the game and followed it up with a 12-yard score late in the fourth quarter. The senior wideout has 21 receptions for 341 yards and five touchdowns so far in 2023.
Defensive Lineman Cole Nelson: A rotational piece along the defensive front for defensive line coach J.C. Price, Cole Nelson has showcased increased production over the past few weeks. The junior defensive end has amassed 15 total tackles this season, recording four total tackles in each of the last two contests. The Johns Creek, Georgia native had one of his most impactful outings against Wake Forest, and his biggest moment came on special teams. On 4th and 6, Nelson took a fake punt attempt 18 yards, which led to a Tech field goal. Nelson will look to build upon his latest outing, also finishing with a tackle-for-loss and a quarterback hurry.