Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – In what promises to be an exciting matchup, the Virginia Tech Hokies will open their season against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2025 Aflac Kickoff Game on Sunday, Aug. 31. The Hokies, who enter the 2025 campaign outfitted with a pair of new coordinators and a plethora of elite talent, will look to start their season in the win column as they kick off in Mercedes-Benz Stadium later this week. Action begins at 3 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ESPN and ESPN-affiliated networks.
How To Follow:
TV: The game will be televised on ESPN with Bob Wichusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst) and Kris Budden (sidelines) 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 at ESPN.com and the ESPN mobile app.
Live Audio: Listen to live audio coverage of the matchup at HokieSports.com/listen or through 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:
New Look, Same Mission
The Tech offseason saw household favorites like Bhayshul Tuten, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, and Jaylin Lane head for the pros in the 2025 NFL Draft. Looking to address vacancies left by their collective departure, Head Coach Brent Pry and the Hokies football staff made it a point to be aggressive in the transfer portal, acquiring 30 total transfers alongside a 19-player freshman class. The Hokies will now be looking to some newer faces to contribute on both the offensive and defensive sides, including the likes of Wake Forest transfer Donavon Greene, West Virginia transfer Tomas Rimac, and Texas State transfer Ben Bell.
Storied Matchup
When the Hokies and Gamecocks face off in Atlanta, Ga. later this week, the game will serve as the 21st all-time matchup between the two squads. With the last meeting in 1991, the teams haven’t faced off in over three decades, marking the upcoming game as one that’s not only a long time coming, but one that is sure to excite fans across both fanbases. In this year’s contest, the Hokies will look to quell the No. 13 ranked Gamecocks, led by dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Keen-eyed fans should keep tabs on how Tech’s Lunch Pail Defense disrupts Sellers in the pocket and tries to wreak havoc on opposing offensive linemen.
Sunday Funday
Unlike more typical Tech football games, the season opener falls on a Sunday instead of a typical Saturday kickoff. The 2025 Aflac Kickoff Game will serve as the first Sunday action for the Hokies since 2017, when the then-No. 21 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies beat the then-No. 22 West Virginia Mountaineers 31-24. Tech football is a perfect 6-0 in Sunday matchups all-time, making the upcoming game an intriguing one for fans of Tech history.
Players to Watch:
Wide Receiver Ayden Greene
Returning for his junior season with the Hokies, wideout Ayden Greene enters the 2025 campaign with plenty of momentum. After a 2024 postseason finale that saw him haul in six passes for a team-high 115 yards at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the former three-star recruit stands as one of the most tenured Hokies in the wide receiver room. His knack for stepping up under the brightest lights has the chance to serve the Hokies well in Atlanta, evidenced by his 16-yard touchdown catch against then-No. 7 ranked Miami on Sept. 27, 2024.
Defensive Lineman Kelvin Gilliam
Kelvin Gilliam Jr. is back for his second season in Blacksburg coming off a 2024 campaign which saw him play in all 13 games, making six starts. Gilliam tallied 35 tackles (11 solo), including 3.5 TFLs and a sack and also registered a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble.
Quarterback Kyron Drones
The primary signal-caller for the Hokies, Drones is poised to have a successful 2025 alongside plenty of new offensive weaponry acquired in the offseason. Starting in nine games last season, the Texas native accounted for 1,562 passing yards and ten passing touchdowns while rushing for six more scores and 336 rushing yards. While Drones’ back half of the 2024 season was hampered by injury, the now-redshirt senior will look to capitalize on his return to the Hokies in the opener against a highly ranked Gamecocks defense.