Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Hokies finish their October slate at home this Saturday, Oct. 26, with the Battle of the Techs returning to Blacksburg. Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech renew a rivalry that began in 1990, meeting for the 20th time in series history. Virginia Tech holds the upper hand with an 11-8 lead and will look to extend that advantage. Kickoff is set for noon ET, with live coverage on the ACC Network. In this week's edition of Know the Foe, presented by AAA, let’s dive into what to expect from the Yellow Jackets and how the Hokies match up.
Georgia Tech is under the leadership of second-year head coach Brend Key. A former assistant at Alabama, Key returned to his alma mater in 2019 as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach under Geoff Collins. This matchup will be the second time he faces off against Virginia Tech’s head coach, Brent Pry, after stepping in as interim head coach four games into the 2022 season for Collins. In his first full season in 2023, Key guided the Yellow Jackets to a 7-6 record, including a solid 5-3 mark in ACC play.
Currently, Georgia Tech boasts a 5-3 overall record and a 3-2 conference standing, highlighted by victories over Duke, North Carolina and Florida State. However, the Yellow Jackets are looking to rebound after a challenging 31-13 loss to No. 12 Notre Dame. Now, they shift their focus back to ACC action, preparing to take on a Virginia Tech team riding high with a two-game win streak.
Veteran quarterback Zach Pyron is poised to start again following Haynes King’s injury against North Carolina. Pyron is no stranger to the Hokies as he made his collegiate debut against them in 2022, amassing 319 total yards (253 passing, 66 rushing) while showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. On the season, he has 30 carries for 105 yards, placing him fourth on the team in rushing yards.
Under second-year offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, Georgia Tech has developed a versatile offense. Pyron will benefit from a rushing attack led by running back Jamal Haynes, who has racked up 551 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season. The receiving corps adds another layer of threat, featuring standout wide receiver Malik Rutherford, who has contributed 541 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
On the defensive side, the 42nd-ranked Yellow Jackets are anchored by linebacker Kyle Efford with 52 tackles, closely followed by defensive back Amari Harvey with 38 takedowns. However, Georgia Tech has managed only nine sacks this season—significantly less than Virginia Tech’s 25. This discrepancy could give Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones more time in the pocket, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in Blacksburg.
With the Hokies coming off impressive victories over their last two ACC opponents, Georgia Tech faces a formidable challenge in the dynamic duo of quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten. Against Boston College, the duo combined for a staggering 36 points, contributing to an offensive output of over 500 yards. Tuten had a standout performance, setting a school record with 266 rushing yards. On the defensive side, Virginia Tech was relentless, accumulating seven tackles for loss, four sacks and forcing three fumbles. With such momentum on their side, the Hokies will look to maintain their momentum against the Yellow Jackets in this pivotal matchup.
Experience this ACC showdown firsthand in Lane Stadium for this year’s Homecoming matchup. While this game is sold out, fans eager to secure their spot for the Georgia Tech matchup can still explore single-game ticket options on SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace for Virginia Tech Athletics.