BLACKSBURG – Riding high after its dominant Thursday night win, Virginia Tech football travels to Kentucky for a showdown with No. 15 Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
The Hokies own a 3-1 record in the ACC and are scheduled to face their second ranked opponent of the year. Their previous road matchup against Florida State marks the team's most recent ranked opponent and a game not played in Blacksburg over the past three weeks. Louisville is 1-1 over that time span after starting the season 6-0.
How to Follow
TV: The game will be televised on ACC Network with Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst) and Ashley Stroehlein (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 Know
New Kids on the Block
Virginia Tech and Louisville have matched up just eight times since 1979, and the Hokies have won more times than not. Holding a 6-2 overall series record, the Cardinals have faced tough times when competing against those in maroon and orange. Since joining the ACC in 2014, the two programs have only faced off once, with Tech winning 42-35 on the road on Oct. 31, 2020. When playing in Kentucky, the series is evenly split at 2-2, and the Hokies have an opportunity to pull off their third straight victory over the 'Cards.
Familiar Territory
Although the series has only eight contests in 44 years, Saturday's contest won't be the first Tech has faced off against Louisville when ranked No. 15 in the AP poll. On Jan. 2, 2006, No. 12 Tech met Louisville for a neutral site contest in Jacksonville, Fla. for the Gator Bowl. The Hokies came out on top with an 11-point victory and another bowl win under Frank Beamer's tutelage. Entering the weekend, roles will swap as the Hokies come into town as an underdog, looking to upset the ranked Cardinals.
Players to Watch
Running Back Malachi Thomas: Since making his return from a season-ending injury in 2022, Thomas has shown steady improvement and has shown flashes of being in full form. Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen's usage of the redshirt sophomore has increased in consecutive weeks, and Thomas responded with his best outing of the year against Syracuse. Receiving a season-high in carries, the Hartwell, Georgia native ran for 87 yards on 13 attempts for a savvy 6.7 yards per carry. He also showcased his versatility by throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Da'Quan Felton on a trick play in the first quarter.
Wide Receiver Tucker Holloway: Big plays on special teams are the name of the game for the sophomore wideout. Holloway has proved to be a dangerous returner with the ball in his hands on punt return units. Picking up right where he left off in the 2022 campaign, the former ACC specialist of the week has ripped off some big gains on punt returns. In the season opener against Old Dominion, Holloway returned his lone attempt 66 yards, nearly scoring after catching the punt and followed up on his special playmaking ability with a 57-yard return against Syracuse. After setting the Virginia Tech program record for single-game punt return yardage on Nov. 5, 2022, against Georgia Tech (188 yards), it's only a matter of time before he returns one for six.
Defensive Lineman Mario Kendricks: Tech's defensive line has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks the past two weeks. Creating havoc in the backfield, the Hokies defense has racked up 15 sacks in the last two games and numerous tackles for loss. Kendricks has been an integral piece of the defensive output, and his disruptive presence was on display against Syracuse. In the Hokies' triumph over the Orange, the senior defensive tackle recorded two tackles for loss, one in which he sacked the quarterback for a four-yard loss. Through eight games, the Kissimmee, Florida native has 3.5 tackles for loss and a 69.1 pass rush grade, according to Pro Football Focus.