Virginia Tech Hosts Cal in First Regular Season Clash

BLACKSBURG, Virginia – Virginia Tech football will host California on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. ET, marking the first regular season meeting between the two teams. The Hokies (2-5, 1-2 ACC) are looking to bounce back after a week off, while the Golden Bears (5-2, 2-1 ACC) come in after a challenging game against North Carolina.

The matchup takes place at Lane Stadium, where Virginia Tech’s ‘Lunch Pail Defense’ will aim to exploit a struggling Cal offense. The Hokies’ defense ranks 10th out of 17 teams in the ACC, while the Bears’ offense is last in rushing, averaging 94.3 yards per game.

Head coach Justin Wilcox leads California, in just their second year in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Last season, Cal finished with a 2-6 conference record, having beaten teams like Wake Forest and Stanford.

This week, the Hokies return from a bye week, a period that typically allows teams to recover and regroup. Interim head coach Philip Montgomery took over after a rough start to the season that led to the firing of previous head coach Brent Pry.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN, with Anish Shroff as the play-by-play announcer and Andre Ware providing analysis. The matchup can also be heard on over 40 radio stations, including 105.3 FM in Blacksburg.

Both teams come into the game with different outlooks. Virginia Tech’s offense will rely on fifth-year quarterback Kyron Drones, who has rushed for 277 yards this season. Drones leads the team in both touchdowns and rushing yards.

Meanwhile, Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will attempt to manage a challenging Hokies’ defense, facing pressure from their strong linebacker corps. Sagapolutele has struggled in recent games, showing a concerning ratio of touchdowns to interceptions.

The weather forecast suggests it will be chilly, with temperatures dropping to around 40 degrees by kickoff. Fans can expect a vibrant atmosphere at Lane Stadium, well-known for its energetic crowd.

This historic meeting between Virginia Tech and Cal — their only prior matchup in college football being the 2003 Insight Bowl — will be crucial for both teams’ aspirations this season. A win for Cal would bring them to 6-2, making them bowl-eligible for the third consecutive year.