Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football is set for its home opener against Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Hokies make their way back to Lane Stadium after opening the 2024 campaign on the road.
This matchup promises to be an intriguing day as the team fights for its first win of the season and the reunion of the 1999 football roster that played in the 2000 National Championship Sugar Bowl. Fans are showing tremendous support as this contest is the first of currently four sellouts. Tickets are still available for purchase on SeatGeek, the Official Fan-to-Fan Ticket Marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.
How to Follow
TV: The game will be televised on CW Sports with Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst) and Treavor Scales (sideline) on the call.
Radio: The Virginia Tech Sports Network will carry the contest over the airwaves in Blacksburg on 93.1 FM and 105.9 FM. 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 with CW Sports service providers. Check your service availability.
Live Audio: Listen to live audio coverage of the matchup at HokieSports.com/Listen 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).
Things to Know
Lane Stadium Renumbering
As announced last year, Lane Stadium’s seating was renumbered to improve fan navigation on gameday. The East & West sections and seat numbers will change to sequential order while the rows will stay the same. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and use the Lane Stadium seating map to help find their seats before kickoff.
Ticket Tuesday Item Pick-Up
Fans who bought tickets during the summer ticket promotion, ‘Ticket Tuesday’, will receive their 1999 vintage poster on Saturday. The special item is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the 1999 Virginia Tech football team that played in the national championship. Purchasers can grab their commemorative poster on game day on the Upper South concourse behind section 507.
Maroon & Orange Memories
Make your gameday experience even more memorable by taking advantage of unique behind-the-scenes opportunities and special fan moments at Lane Stadium. Plenty of Maroon & Orange Memories options are available, such as watching from the sidelines, joining the members of Hokie Walk and more! Take your game day to the next level and purchase a Maroon & Orange Memory today.
Players to Watch
Wide Receiver Jaylin Lane: In the season opener, Tech’s offense rallied in the second half after a slower start than usual. Chunk plays in the passing game helped propel the Hokies to 24 second-half points. Fifth-year wideout Jaylin Lane provided a spark with yards after the catch to help extend drives and place the offense in scoring position. Lane took a screen pass 24 yards to start the third quarter in a drive leading to Tech’s first touchdown of the year. The Clover, South Carolina native finished the opener with 62 receiving yards on four receptions and impressively picked up 47 yards after the catch.
Defensive End Antwaun Powell-Ryland: Easily touted as the mayor of ‘Sacksburg’, edge rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland’s ability to rush the passer was on full display in Nashville. The redshirt senior earned a solid 71.6 pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus, recording a half sack and a quarterback hurry. Most importantly, of his four tackles against the Commodores, three were recognized as stops, including one tackle for loss. Tackle locations for stops are considered wins for the defense, and APR constantly displays his ability to be force off the edge.
Tight End Benji Gosnell: Heading into the season, the Hokies boast a relatively young and budding tight end room. Following veteran tight end Nick Gallo’s season-ending injury in 2023, relatively inexperienced players were given more opportunities to make an impact. Redshirt sophomore Benji Gosnell was given that chance last season and displayed flashes of brilliance at FirstBank Stadium. Gosnell started strong after playing in 13 games last season, finishing with four receptions for 62 yards. In Tech’s third drive of the second half, the Pilot Mountain, North Carolina native hauled in back-to-back passes of 17 yards and 26 yards. Gosnell showed great hands and separation ability on a drive that led to points, which provides a glimpse of what the young tight end can bring to Tyler Bowen’s offensive scheme.