Virginia Tech looks to bounce back in home opener against Marshall

Virginia Tech wide receiver Ali Jennings (0) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Da'Quan Felton (9) and tight end Harrison Saint Germain (87) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Marshall (1-0) at Virginia Tech (0-1), Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CW Sports)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Virginia Tech by 20.5.

Series record: Virginia Tech leads 10-3,

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Virginia Tech, which entered the season with lofty expectations, is looking to rebound from a 34-27 overtime loss at Vanderbilt in the season opener. The Hokies entered the game as 13.5-point favorites, but allowed a game-tying touchdown in the final two minutes and couldn’t score on their lone possession in overtime. Marshall opened with a 45-3 win over Stony Brook. The Hokies have won two consecutive home openers under coach Brent Pry, who is in his third season, but Marshall, coming off a 6-7 season under Charles Huff, is looking for a second consecutive win over the Hokies after a 24-17 victory last season.

KEY MATCHUP

Marshall displayed a balanced attack against Stony Brook, throwing for 290 yards on 32 attempts and rushing for 259 on 36 attempts. The Herd, which rushed for 214 yards in last season’s win over the Hokies, will be looking for similar production against a Virginia Tech defense that has struggled at times against the run under Pry. The Hokies gave up 181 yards rushing to Vanderbilt last week.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marshall: RB A.J. Turner. He is part of a three-player rotation at tailback for the Herd and was the most impressive against Stony Brook. Though he did not start, Turner rushed for 119 yards on just eight carries, including an 80-yard run. He and Jordan Houston, an N.C. State transfer, each ran the ball eight times to lead the Herd.

Virginia Tech: QB Kyron Drones. He started slowly against Vanderbilt, but finished with career highs in completions (22) and yards (322), and he threw two touchdown passes before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with cramps. The performance marked just the second 300-yard passing game of his career.

FACTS & FIGURES

Marshall played three quarterbacks in the win over Stony Brook, with Stone Earle, a transfer from North Texas, starting. Both Earle and Braylon Braxton threw two touchdown passes … All three quarterbacks threw a touchdown pass — a first for Marshall since 1932 … Nine players on Marshall’s roster are from Virginia … The Herd added 45 new players and six new assistant coaches in the offseason … Virginia Tech has scored in 371 consecutive games, which ranks fourth on the all-time list and fourth on the active list … The Hokies will be without safety Jalen Stroman, who suffered an undisclosed injury against Vanderbilt. Pry said Stroman would miss at least a couple of weeks and said that Jaylen Jones and Mose Phillips III would see increased reps.

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