Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – For just the second time in Virginia Tech history, the Hokies are primed to face off against the Wofford Terriers in the third of three consecutive home games in 2025. Both teams enter the game searching for their first win, the Hokies now under interim head coach Philip Montgomery and the Terriers under coaching veteran Shawn Watson. As the Hokies inch closer to kickoff on Saturday, September 20, here’s What to Watch for at Lane Stadium.
Rewrite the Story
In interim head coach Philip Montgomery’s first press conference since being named to the role, the seasoned leader is excited about what’s to come:
“We've got an opportunity right now to write the ending of what this story is going to be,” said Montgomery, addressing the media for the first time on Sept. 16. “We've got a group of young men that have poured a ton of work...they've been molded together.”
Montgomery assumes the interim head coach position with a wealth of experience across many football disciplines. Serving largely as a co-offensive coordinator for much of his career, the Texas native’s work as a quarterback and running backs specialist with the Baylor Bears (2008-11) allowed then-playcaller Robert Griffin III to win the Heisman Trophy. Montgomery was a direct reason behind the near 4,000 passing yards and 36 touchdowns “RG3” would have in his junior season (2011).
The experience that most aligns with his current role is undoubtedly the eight years he spent as head coach for Tulsa University (2015-22). The Golden Hurricane’s 2016 run, which saw nine regular season wins and a strong bowl game victory in the postseason, was Montgomery’s best in the position.
Receiver Royalty
Heading into the fourth week of the Hokies’ 2025 campaign, the Greenes – veteran receiver Donovan Greene and junior wideout Ayden Greene – have been showing up and showing out on the offensive side of the ball. The tandem sit No. 1 and No. 2 in receiving yards this fall, the former logging 193 yards on nine catches while the latter has 148 yards on eight snags.
Wofford should be concerned about the pair’s offensive successes through two games this fall. The team is currently allowing 6.7 yards per passing attempt to opposing quarterbacks, the stat compounded by their 257.7 allowed pass yards per game. Dealing with the dynamic of duo of Greene and Greene could prove challenging for the Wofford secondary, one that saw plenty of turnover before the 2025 season kicked off.
Defensive Opportunities
“Lunch Pail Defense” has always been a pillar of the Virginia Tech football program. This year’s iteration, which is led by coordinator Sam Siefkes and anchored by defensive linemen Kemari Copeland and Kelvin Gilliam Jr., includes a litany of players who have continued to use their strength and size in competition this fall.
This weekend’s matchup against the Terriers is another great chance for Siefkes’s unit to impose its will on opposing offenses. Wofford enters the game ranking dead last in rush yards per game (60.3) and second-to-last in points per game (15.3) in the Southern Conference, the only other team being the Samford Bulldogs (7.7 points per game).
In fact, it’s been a rough start for Wofford – their 195.3 yards per game stands as the worst in the conference, the next best eclipsing the Terriers by almost 50 yards. If Siefkes and company can force Wofford to continue their limited offensive production this weekend, the Hokies will be primed for success.