Hokie ClubHeading into their third meeting in as many years, the Hokies and Monarchs each eye an in-state victory when they meet inside S.B. Ballard Stadium on Saturday evening. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. E.T., with the game set to air on ESPN+.
Welcome Home
It goes without saying that the rich history of Virginia Tech football has long been connected to the 757 and its talented tandem of prospects.
NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith, Michael Vick, Tyrod Taylor, DeAngelo Hall, Kam Chancellor and Bryan Randall are just a few Tech greats to call Tidewater home, with there still being a surplus of Hokies on the current roster to hail from Hampton Roads.
The collection of Keylen Adams, Da’Quan Felton, Kemari Copeland, Kaleb Spencer, George Ballance, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Gerard Johnson and Griffin Duggan all are originally from the region, with only Felton having played a game in his old stomping grounds when he suited up for Norfolk State from 2021-22.
The game also marks the homecoming for sixth-year senior Ali Jennings – who transferred to Tech from Old Dominion following the 2022 campaign.
Jennings caught 116 passes for 2,025 yards and 14 touchdowns during his two seasons with the Monarchs, with the Richmond, Virginia, native also hauling in two scores against his former team in his Tech debut a season ago.
Tug Boat Tuten
Running back Bhayshul Tuten has continued to impress ever since putting on the maroon and orange last season.
During the Hokies’ 31-14 win over Marshall, Tuten carried the ball 22 times for 120 yards and a touchdown, with the senior garnering his second-highest total of touches – behind his 24 in last year’s 38-21 win over Pitt – and his fifth 100-plus yard performance of his Tech career. Tuten’s 5.5 yards per carry was his third-best since arriving in town, just trailing the Military Bowl win over Tulane (7.6) and last year’s 55-17 rout of Virginia (7.3) to close out the regular season.
Tuten also is the first Tech running back to tally five career 100-plus yard performances in Blacksburg since Khalil Herbert did it six times in 2020, with the Paulsboro, New Jersey, native still feeling like he’s scratching the surface in the 2024 campaign.
Tuten’s got quite the opportunity to add on to his solid start this weekend, with Old Dominion ranking 103rd in rushing defense so far this year and giving up 178.5 yards per game.
Collision Course
Sensing to build some momentum after a strong performance in the victory over Marshall a week ago, Tech’s defense has an opportunity for success against an ODU offense that has struggled to find its footing.
The Monarchs have lost both games by only a combined nine points so far this year, but scored a total of 33 points in both setbacks in 2024.
Old Dominion finds itself ranked 115th in total offense and 119th in scoring offense so far this season, putting up just 296 yards a game and finding the end zone four times in the first two contests. The Monarchs scratched across just 287 yards of total offense in last week’s 20-14 loss to East Carolina, rushing for just a mere 95 yards on the ground and tallying just 3.8 yards per play.
On the flip side, the Hokies allowed only 278 yards of total offense to the Thundering Herd, holding Marshall to 5-of-17 on third down and giving up just 131 yards in the air.
ODU has also allowed the second-most sacks of any team in the nation with nine so far on the year, with Tech looking to tack on to its four racked up so far in 2024.
With the season now underway, be sure to make a pledge to support Virginia Tech football. Fans can make a donation pledge for the whole season with Pledge Per, and your donation total can be based on team performance metrics such as sacks, touchdowns or wins.