Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football is setting their sights on this weekend’s nighttime contest against the Old Dominion Monarchs. The Sun Belt Conference club, which is led by head coach Ricky Rahne in his sixth year, arrives in Blacksburg at 1-1 with a win against NC Central and a loss at then-No. 20 Indiana. Presented by Virginia Lottery, here’s What to Watch for as the Hokies taken on the Monarchs in Lane Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. ET, streaming live on ACC Network/ESPN.
New Kids on the Block
Now two weeks into the season, several new faces within the Hokies’ offensive system have been contributing at a high level. Newcomers and rising contributors alike have wasted no time proving themselves on gamedays in 2025.
Tight end Ja’Ricous Hairston made a meaningful contribution against Vanderbilt this past weekend. With seconds left in the first quarter, the redshirt sophomore sliced through the Commodores defensive line, giving himself a window to haul in both his first catch and first touchdown in maroon and orange. Similarly, running back Marcellous Hawkins, a transfer who’s been given the starting nod in both games this fall, leads the team with 87 rushing yards on 23 carries. His best game this season came in Atlanta, the redshirt junior tallying 58 rushing yards on 15 attempts (3.9 yards/carry).
When the Monarchs stroll into Blacksburg on Saturday, watch for both Hairston and Hawkins to excel at their positions. In the contest last fall, the run game was Old Dominion’s undoing, allowing the Hokies to finish the game with two 100-plus yard rushers (Drones, Tuten). Against a Monarchs team that’s already allowing 222.5 rushing yards to opponents through two games, the running back room is a unit that Hokie fans should keep their eyes on.
Duel of the Quarterbacks
In both the South Carolina and Vanderbilt contests, the Hokies have been met with quarterbacks who have crafted a reputation behind their dual-threat play. Now entering Week 3, the Hokies should not expect anything less from Monarchs’ quarterback Colton Joseph.
Joseph assumed the starting role in 2024 and has yet to relinquish the spot as a sophomore. While his performance in the air against a ranked Indiana team was lackluster (11-22 for 96 yards, 3 interceptions), his ground game – which included rushing touchdowns of 78 and 75 yards – excelled. The script flipped against NC Central a week later, however, as Joseph’s running ability took a backseat to three passing touchdowns and over 250 passing yards.
In preparing for their third dual-threat quarterback in three games, the Hokies can succeed behind a defense that has proven its strength. Against Vanderbilt, linebacker Ben Bell and defensive lineman Kody Huisman were the catalyst to quarterback Diego Pavia’s first-quarter interception, pressuring the Commodores’ playcaller into an errant throw down the sideline. Executing that same pressure will be paramount against the Monarchs this weekend, especially against a team leader in rushing and passing yards in Joseph.
"The kick is up...and it’s good!"
Placekicker John Love has been one of the most consistent offensive weapons for the Hokies throughout his four years in maroon and orange. Through two games this fall, it doesn’t look like the redshirt junior is slowing down any time soon.
Hailing from Spartanburg, S.C., Love has been a reliable source of offensive production through two games this fall, sending a perfect five of five field goal attempts through the uprights. His 56-yard make in the season opener is the most impressive this season, the try putting the Hokies within two of the Gamecocks as time expired in the first half.
In the offensive barrage that was the 37-17 win over Old Dominion last fall, Love continually showed his elite kicking talent, converting on three of four tries from distances of 41, 32 and 21 yards. Look for Love to be a key factor in his third career game against the Monarchs when they come to town this Saturday.