Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football is a mere two days away from kicking off its 2024 campaign. Ahead of the season opener versus Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, head coach Brent Pry, defensive coordinator Chris Marve and multiple student-athletes spoke with local media about Saturday's matchup. Read and watch below to learn about the team's preparation during Fall Camp, its mentality heading into week one and the perspectives of multiple team captains.
Weekly Press Conference (8/27/24)
Head Coach Brent Pry
On his confidence in the roster for the season:
"I feel good about most areas on our team, but we have to go do it. We have to go play the way we're capable of. That's half the battle sometimes, you can get to a point. I love the depth on our defensive line. We've got some talented guys that have proven production, and we have depth on top of that. To be able to apply pressure and strain and play physical for four quarters on the defensive line. Most years when we've been able to do that, it bodes well for our defense. It starts up front, and we've got a group that Coach J.C. Price has led, that I'm anxious to see them play."
On playing games on the road:
"You'd love to be at home in your routine and have that extra day, but everything is sped up. When you're leaving, you're going to practice Friday morning early and then shower up, get on the road. So it heightens things, it quickens things. You're going on the road to play an SEC opponent at their place to kick the season off. There's a ton of hype. They're fired up about their team and the promise of the year they can have, just like we are. So it's challenging being on the road. 11 a.m. CT kickoff, it's going to be hot. Hopefully, there'll be a bunch of Hokies in the stands. Our guys are anxious to play. Just like everybody camp gets long. You compete against each other. And our guys did a great job of that. But at some point, enough is enough and you just want to play somebody else."