The 2024 college football season hasn’t gotten off to the best start for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Last week, the Hokies trailed 17-0 in the first half against Vanderbilt, but fought back to take the lead. Leading the Commodores 27-20 at one point in the fourth quarter, the Hokies needed just one more defensive stop to start the year with a hard-fought win.
It didn’t happen. Virginia Tech’s defense failed to stop a possession; Vandy tied the game and had another chance to win in regulation time but missed a field goal. So the game went into overtime, where the Commodores scored quickly. The Hokies couldn’t answer, as quarterback Kyron Drones could only play one snap and Tech couldn’t put the ball in the end zone.
It was a disappointing start to the season.
Head coach Brent Pry expressed his disappointment on Tuesday but said it was time to move on to Marshall.
Let’s take a look at the Thundering Herd.
Last week
Marshall started the 2024 season with a 45-3 win over Stony Brook. The Thundering Herd was not tested and rolled over the Seawolves. Marshall’s three quarterbacks combined for 290 passing yards, five touchdowns and no turnovers. In addition, the Herd rushed for 259 yards. Knowing the Hokies were on the schedule in Week 2, head coach Charles Huff admitted that Marshall did not run the entire playbook in the opening game.
When they last met
Virginia Tech and Marshall also met last September and the Thundering Herd pulled off a surprise 24-17 win. The Hokies outscored Marshall in the first half, but the Herd scored, took the lead, forced a turnover and never looked back.
It was the Drones’ second start for the Hokies, and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen still hadn’t figured out how to call plays with the talented dual-threat signal-caller.
Marshall led 24-10 in the fourth quarter when the Hokies mounted a comeback. Drones scored on a 16-yard run to cut the lead to 24-17 midway through the fourth quarter. The defense then forced a punt, giving the Hokies another chance. Drones took VT past midfield, but the offense stalled after a promising start, giving Marshall its first win over Virginia Tech since 1940.
Series history
This will be the 15th meeting between the Hokies and the Thundering Herd. The two campuses are only 190 miles apart. The Hokies lead the standings 11-3. Marshall’s first two victories over the Hokies came in 1939 and 1940, both times in Huntington. The two teams played three straight seasons in Bluefield in the early 1950s until the series was paused for 49 years and resumed in 2002. The Hokies had won the series nine straight times until last season’s meeting.
What’s different?
Marshall is much different than it was a year ago. Huff has a new offensive coordinator (Seth Doege) who came to Huntington from Purdue, where he was tight ends coach. Doege played quarterback at Texas Tech, so he has experience in the Air Raid offense, which is a different face for the Hokies. Pry said he expects Marshall’s offense to look similar to the one Purdue used against the Hokies last season.
In addition to a new offensive scheme, the Thundering Herd has overhauled its roster. Running back Rasheen Ali and quarterback Cam Fincher are gone. Marshall has over 40 new players.
Who will play quarterback for Marshall?
In the opener last week, three quarterbacks combined to complete 21 of 32 passes for 290 yards. All three looked good. Of course, the Hokies are a big step up from Stony Brook. Marshall’s three quarterbacks are Stone Earle (transfer from North Texas), Cole Pennington (son of Marshall legend Chad Pennington) and Braylon Baxton (transfer from Tulsa). Who will the Hokies see on Saturday?
Preparing for three different quarterbacks can be difficult, but it can also be tough on the team because it’s difficult to establish an offensive rhythm with constant rotation. Huff will keep the Hokies guessing.
Injuries at Virginia Tech
Pry confirmed this week that senior safety Jalen Stroman will likely miss a few weeks. That’s bad news because the Hokies lack depth at the safety position, which provides a chance for some younger players to step up.
Junior linebacker Will Johnson will be out for a while. Pry did not confirm the exact injury but felt sorry for Johnson, a hard-working player who stands out on any special operations unit.
Drones is doing well after suffering cramps late in last week’s loss.
Players in focus
- Marshall WR Elijah Metcalf
- Marshall SJJ Roberts, Jr.
- Marshall DE Michael Green Jr.
- Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul tooted
- Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane
- Virginia Tech CB Mansoor Delane
