Game Preview: Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-11-24)

By: Joey Raymond

Headline Photo Credit: Corey Allen-LMS Network

Norfolk, VA – The stage is set for the sixth meeting between the Old Dominion Monarchs and Virginia Tech Hokies, a rivalry in which the home team has always prevailed. The Monarchs have twice stunned the Hokies in Norfolk, most notably in a 49-35 victory in 2018 when Virginia Tech was ranked No. 13, and again in 2022 with a nail-biting 20-17 win. Both games were played before sellout crowds, including the last time Tech was in Norfolk with an attendance of 21,944.

Old Dominion enters this matchup with notable struggles, particularly on the offensive line. The Monarchs gave up an astounding 62 sacks last season while recording just 19 of their own. Their defensive line remains a point of concern for head coach Ricky Rahne, who has led ODU to two bowl appearances in three years but is still searching for a winning season. Despite these challenges, Rahne has elevated the program, increasing its competitiveness in a tough schedule.

Virginia Tech’s First Win of the Year

Virginia Tech, coming off a 31-14 win, still left fans with questions. The Hokies’ offense, while potent in the second half, showed concerning stagnation in the first. The team continues to focus heavily on lateral movement rather than pushing the ball vertically, raising doubts about offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen’s play-calling. While the running game, spearheaded by Bhayshul Tuten’s 125-yard performance last week, has been effective, fans are calling for more explosive plays to better utilize quarterback Kyron Drones’ strong arm. A highlight was Stephen Gosnell’s 49-yard reception, showcasing the type of explosive plays fans want to see more of.

Defensively, coordinator Chris Marve’s unit rebounded well, allowing only 14 points. Despite that, the defense is only on the hook for one of those touchdowns. That Herd touchdown came after a blocked punt deep in Hokie territory. If the Hokies can avoid such special teams mishaps and maintain their second-half energy from last week, they’ll pose a tough challenge for ODU.

Old Dominion’s Tough Loss Last Week

Old Dominion is coming off a heartbreaking 20-14 loss to East Carolina. Despite a valiant final drive that saw the Monarchs advance from their 9-yard line to ECU’s 33, time expired before they could attempt a game-winning play. Grant Wilson, ODU’s quarterback, was sacked with eight seconds remaining, and the team was unable to spike the ball in time. While ODU’s defense shined, forcing four interceptions, the offense struggled to capitalize, converting just one turnover into points. ECU’s running back, Rahjai Harris, was the difference-maker, rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-changing 63-yard burst in the third quarter. They’ll need that defense to continue to shine if they’re going to have a shot against the Hokies in Norfolk. On that same coin though, they’ll need to show some offensive production in response to those turnovers if they can force one.

Key Matchup

The Hokies’ defensive front, which appears to have found its form, will face an ODU offensive line that has struggled mightily to protect its quarterback. If Virginia Tech can exploit this mismatch, it could be a long day for the Monarchs. On the other hand, ODU’s ability to generate turnovers could give them the spark they need to keep the game competitive, especially with their home-field advantage in Norfolk. As we saw last time these two teams played, it’ll be the biggest game of the year for the Monarchs. The fans will be looking at this game like it’s the Superbowl, let’s not count out how hostile of an environment this could be.

Prediction

Despite Old Dominion’s success at home in this series, the Hokies are in a good position to reverse the trend. If they can address their offensive inefficiencies and avoid slow starts, Virginia Tech should be able to overwhelm the Monarchs and secure their first road win in this rivalry.