After opening the James Franklin era with a dominant 73-3 win over VMI, Virginia Tech will get a considerably better idea of where it stands when Old Dominion comes to Lane Stadium on Saturday.
The Hokies and Monarchs will kick off at noon on The CW, with Virginia Tech entering the matchup 1-0 and looking to avenge one of its most damaging losses from a season ago, and arguably the worst loss in program history.
Old Dominion came into Blacksburg last year and handed Virginia Tech a 45-26 loss, continuing what has become a surprisingly competitive in-state series. Since the programs first met in 2017, Virginia Tech holds just a 4-3 advantage.
This time, however, Virginia Tech looks almost entirely different. Franklin has taken over the program, the coaching staff has been rebuilt and the roster underwent significant turnover during the offseason.
Old Dominion has undergone plenty of change itself.
The Monarchs are coming off a 10-3 season but lost starting quarterback Colton Joseph to Wisconsin and rebuilt much of their roster through the transfer portal. Head coach Ricky Rahne's team features 40 transfers from four-year programs and the junior college ranks.
ODU opened the season with a 31-10 victory over Norfolk State, although the final score was somewhat misleading. The Monarchs led just 17-10 late in the third quarter before pulling away.
Stopping Quinn Henicle and the ODU Ground Game
If there is one priority for Virginia Tech defensively, it starts with quarterback Quinn Henicle.
Henicle isn't an unfamiliar name for Hokie fans. He started against Virginia Tech in 2024 and broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run before eventually giving way to Joseph.
His legs remain the biggest threat.
For his career, Henicle has rushed 91 times for 555 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. His passing numbers have been considerably less impressive, completing 40 of 77 attempts for 508 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
That trend continued against Norfolk State. Henicle attempted only 12 passes while carrying the ball 13 times. He finished with 68 net rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns while also throwing a pair of scores.
The Hokies' goal should be relatively straightforward: contain Henicle and force Old Dominion into obvious passing situations.
That has been easier said than done against the Monarchs in recent years.
ODU rushed for 201 yards against Virginia Tech in 2023 before increasing that total to 243 in 2024 and 250 last season. The Monarchs averaged more than six yards per carry in each of the last two meetings.
Henicle isn't alone in the backfield, either.
Devin Roche leads a committee after rushing for 630 yards last season, including three 100-yard performances over his final four games. Ja'Varien Salter and Trey Hall also received carries against Norfolk State.
ODU ran the ball 42 times compared to just 13 pass attempts in its opener, giving a pretty clear indication of what Virginia Tech can expect Saturday.
