The Stanford Cardinal (2-2, 1-1 ACC) will return home for the first time in nearly a month to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC). It was very solid throughout the year. It’s been a season full of ups and downs for both teams, but a win would be another step in the right direction as each program fights to prove itself in the loaded ACC. Getting back in the win column would be huge for the Cardinal, and it would be even better if they could do it in their first ACC game at home. With just one day left until kickoff, here’s everything you need to know about the Hokies.
When you think of Virginia Tech, the first name that comes to mind is probably Frank Beamer. He was head coach of the Hokies from 1987 to 2015, leading the team to seven conference titles (1995, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010) and five district titles (2005, 2008, 2010). (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011) and appeared in the 1999 BCS National Championship Game, but a 46-29 loss to Florida State ended the team’s hopes of winning a title. .
However, since Virginia Tech’s last 10-win season in 2016, the Hokies have been in a rebuilding period, with current head coach Brent Pry taking over in 2022 and leading the team to a 3-8 record in his first year. He led them to seven wins on the season. -6 in the second campaign. The Hokies’ overall record is 774 wins, 507 wins, and 46 losses, with a bowl record of 14 wins and 21 losses. The Hokies joined the ACC in 2004 and participated in the Big East Conference from 1991 to 2003. Virginia Tech has rivalries with several schools, most notably West Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, Miami Tech, Georgia Tech, and Boston College.
However, the rivalry between West Virginia and Virginia is the most heated, with Virginia’s games being part of the Commonwealth Clash (Virginia vs. Virginia in all sports). Overall, the Hokies lead the Cavaliers 58-38-5 in football. The Hokies led 30-23-1 against West Virginia, and the winner of that game was awarded a trophy known as the Black Diamond Trophy. Several NFL legends spent their college careers at Virginia Tech, including Michael Vick and NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.
After struggling in 2022, the Hokies turned things around significantly in 2023, finishing the regular season 6-6, qualifying for a bowl game, and winning the Military Bowl by defeating Tulane 41-20. The Hokies have struggled to start the year, starting 1-3 with a win over Old Dominion in the opening week, before losing three straight games to Purdue, Rutgers and Marshall.
After that, they improved to 2 wins and 3 losses with a win over Pittsburgh, but in Week 6 they lost to Florida State, ranked No. 5 at the time, and fell to 2 wins and 4 losses. However, the Hokies quickly fought hard and got back to a .500 batting average, defeating Wake Forest 30-13 at homecoming and defeating Syracuse following the bye week. The Hokies traveled to Louisville in Week 10, losing 34-3, and their bowl chances were in jeopardy, dropping to 4-5.
Thankfully, the Hokies are 2-1 in their last three games, defeating Boston College and Virginia, earning them a berth in their first bowl game since 2021.
Don’t let the 2-3 record fool you, Virginia Tech has been no slouch this season. All of the Hokies’ losses this season have been by one point or less, and the most recent loss to Miami featured a controversial final play of the game.
The Hokies lost 34-27 in overtime against Vanderbilt in Week 1, but lost 26-23 at Rutgers. Rutgers’ fourth-quarter field goal made the difference, but it came after the Hokies scored 16 points and almost completed a comeback. .
The two wins came against Marshall in Week 2, when running back Beishul Tuten had 22 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown in a 31-14 victory for the Hokies. In Week 3, the Hokies got big games from quarterbacks Kyron Drones and Jalen Lane in a 37-17 win over Old Dominion.
