Sep 193 min read

Virginia Tech Hopes to Ignite Season Against Rutgers

The Virginia Tech Hokies (2-1) wrap up nonconference play on Sept. 21 when they host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0). Virginia Tech leads the all-time, head-to-head series 12-4, but Rutgers won the teams' most recent meeting 35-16 in 2023. The teams will meet at 3:30 pm EST in Blacksburg, Va.

What's at Stake?

Many experts were projecting Virginia Tech to be one of the top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024. Head coach Brent Pry's team had shown improvement each year under his tenure, and the team returned all 11 starters on offense and 19 of 22 overall. The preseason excitement did not last long. In one of the more shocking results of Week 1, Vanderbilt (2-1) gave the Hokies a reality check with a 34-27 victory in overtime.

Since then, Virginia Tech has righted the ship with comfortable victories over Old Dominion (0-3) and Marshall (1-1). The Hokies still have the talent and experience to contend in the ACC this year. Rutgers will give them the opportunity to build positive momentum and belief heading into their conference slate.

Rutgers has been showing improvement as well under head coach Greg Schiano and has won nine straight nonconference games. In their 2-0 start this season, the Scarlet Knights have dominated competition with a stout offensive line and one of the top rushing attacks in the country. Virginia Tech will be Rutgers' first Power Four opponent and first road game of the season. A win against the Hokies would set up the Scarlet Knights to succeed against a very manageable Big Ten Conference schedule that avoids Ohio State (2-0), Michigan (2-1), Oregon (3-0) and Penn State (2-0).

Key Players: Virginia Tech Hokies

Kyron Drones, Quarterback

The junior quarterback immediately elevated the Hokies' offense when he burst onto the scene in 2023. Drones' dual-threat ability has already been evident this season as he both rushed and passed for at least 1 touchdown in each of Virginia Tech's last two games. The Hokies will need him to utilize his mobility this week against Rutgers. If he can take advantage of a weak Rutgers pass rush, the Virginia Tech offense will be hard to stop.

Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Defensive End

The senior defensive lineman was a force to be reckoned with last week, racking up 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against the Old Dominion Monarchs. The Hokies will need Powell-Ryland and the rest of the defensive line to be at its best against a Rutgers line that has not allowed a sack yet this season. The key to this game for Virginia Tech will be slowing down one of the top rushing attacks in the country and forcing Rutgers to rely on quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. The transfer quarterback from Minnesota has been mistake prone in the past, and the Hokies should be able to capitalize if they can take star running back Kyle Monangai out of the equation.

Key Players: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Kyle Monangai, Running Back

The talented senior running back rushed for a career-high 208 yards against the Akron Zips last week, the most yards in a single game from a Rutgers running back since 2014. Monangai leads a Rutgers rushing attack that is currently fourth in the nation with 307 yards per game. He should be able to take advantage of a weak Virginia Tech rushing defense that ranks near the bottom of the country, allowing 190.3 rushing yards per game.

Aaron Lewis, Defensive End

While Rutgers' clear strength on defense is its secondary, the defensive line will have to step up and contain quarterback Kyron Drones for Rutgers to have success. Lewis brings experience as a fifth-year senior at the Scarlet Knights, and he had success against Virginia Tech when the two teams played in 2023. If the defensive line can force Drones to move the ball with his arm, Rutgers should be able to slow down a talented Hokies offense.

Trends to Watch

Virginia Tech has lost 11 straight games against nonconference Power Four opponents and Notre Dame. The Hokies have shown improvement under Pry, evidenced by Virginia Tech's first bowl win since 2016 in the 2023 Military Bowl. With all the offseason expectations, Pry needs to show that he can win when it matters. Rutgers presents an opportunity for the Hokies to put the opening-weekend loss to Vanderbilt behind them and win in a pivotal matchup.