Almost a year to the day since Old Dominion stunned Virginia Tech 45-26 in Blacksburg, a game that doubled as Brent Pry’s last as head coach, the two teams meet again at Lane Stadium on Saturday. The rematch carries a different weight now. James Franklin is in charge of the Hokies, Pry is back as defensive coordinator, and the program that reshaped itself after that September collapse is favored by 18.5 points, per FanDuel.
Virginia Tech opened its season with a 73-3 demolition of VMI. Old Dominion also won, beating Norfolk State, but the Monarchs’ 1-0 record does little to soothe the memory of what happened the last time they walked into Blacksburg. That 2025 result was the low point of Pry’s tenure and the catalyst for the coaching change that followed. One year later, the Hokies look like a different operation. Franklin has brought in an enviable quarterback situation, a stable of playmakers, and a defense that Pry has built long and fast.
The quarterback room is the most discussed part of this team. Ethan Grunkemeyer started against VMI and threw well, with only three misses on the day, though two of those were wide-open touchdown passes to Que’Sean Brown. The odd stat from Week 1: backup Bryce Baker, a redshirt freshman, actually played more snaps than Grunkemeyer. That was a function of the blowout, not a controversy, but it sets up an interesting question for Saturday. Whether Grunkemeyer’s timing sharpens against a real opponent is one of the more intriguing subplots of the afternoon.
Old Dominion’s offense runs through Quinn Henicle. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore led the Monarchs with 68 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the opener, adding 143 passing yards and two more scores through the air. He is the type of mobile quarterback who has given Virginia Tech problems for years, going back to Bud Foster’s time as defensive coordinator. The Hokies’ defensive line, led by Cortez Harris, will need to keep Henicle contained. Harris had three tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a sack against VMI. Franklin singled him out before the season for his work ethic, and the Maryland native backed it up in Week 1. Keeping Henicle in the pocket is the first key to the game. If he escapes and finds running lanes, Old Dominion’s offense becomes far harder to stop.
The Monarchs have other weapons. Running back Devin Roche didn’t do much against Norfolk State, but he ran for over 100 yards in three of Old Dominion’s last four games in 2025. He has the speed to turn a small gap into a long touchdown, and the Hokies don’t want to be the team that gets him going. On defense, safety Mario Easterly is the anchor. The fifth-year senior made the Jim Thorpe Award watch list before the season and finished the opener with six tackles and an interception. He is the heart of a Monarchs defense that will need to hold up against a Virginia Tech running game that looked potent in Week 1.
Jeffrey Overton Jr. had his first 100-yard game against VMI, doing it in just nine carries. He and Marcellous Hawkins form a backfield that could be one of the best in college football this season. Overton is the home run threat, good between the tackles, while Hawkins specializes in the physical stuff. They complement each other, and the plan on Saturday is to feed both early. If the running game gets going, Grunkemeyer will have room to throw to Brown, Luke Reynolds, and the rest of the receiving corps. If Virginia Tech can establish that ground game, the offense should open up.
The keys for the Hokies are straightforward. Keep Henicle in the pocket. Play mistake-free football. Don’t turn the ball over. Be efficient on third downs. Last season’s loss happened because Virginia Tech made errors and Old Dominion capitalized. The Hokies are the more talented team on paper, but the Monarchs have beaten them three times since the series began in 2017. Six of the seven meetings have been decided by 14 points or more, including Old Dominion’s 20-17 upset in 2022. The only close game was that one, and it went against the Hokies.
Saturday’s game kicks off at noon ET at Lane Stadium. The broadcast is on CW, with Thom Brennaman on play-by-play, Jason Cabinda as analyst, and Wes Bryant on the sidelines. Streaming options include fuboTV and ESPN. Radio coverage is available through the Virginia Tech Sports Network. The all-time series stands at 4-3 in favor of Virginia Tech, but the Monarchs have won three of the seven meetings, a record that says more about Virginia Tech’s struggles than Old Dominion’s dominance. The Hokies are 18.5-point favorites, per FanDuel.
According to Yahoo Sports.