Tech Squared: Hokies Aim To Stifle Unbeaten Yellow Jackets

Now halfway through the college football season, Virginia Tech’s 2025 campaign has been nothing short of turbulent, chaotic and cataclysmic. The next chapter comes today against No. 13 Georgia Tech — tied for the highest-ranked opponent the Hokies faced this season, matching South Carolina’s Week 1 ranking.

After a Week 3 loss to Old Dominion, a 45–26 defeat that appeared more lopsided than the score suggested, the Hokies (2-4, 1-1 ACC) parted with head coach Brent Pry. The decision came swiftly: the program deemed that a turnaround needed to begin immediately. Philip Montgomery, formerly the offensive coordinator, stepped in as interim head coach to steer the ship through uncertain waters and attempt to salvage what remains of a once-promising season.

Pry’s tenure concluded with a 16-24 record, and a reported buyout of ~$6 million, according to CBS Sports. That, in turn, placed immediate expectations on Montgomery to steady a program that already felt adrift and disjointed after three years of disappointment under Pry.

Virginia Tech’s struggles have also extended to availability and continuity. The season began with back-to-back losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt before the ODU debacle. There were flashes of hope in the weeks that followed — convincing wins over Wofford and a home upset of NC State — but also regression, with a tight, gut-wrenching loss to Wake Forest that reignited questions about Tech’s consistency. In short, the Hokies have looked like three different teams in six games, and stability remains elusive.

Adding to the chaos, injuries have depleted depth across the roster, making preparation nearly as unpredictable as performance. Linebacker Jaden Keller is questionable this week, which could thrust true freshman Noah Chambers into his first start. However, the “probable” status of Caleb Woodson might shift those plans and allow the coaching staff to utilize Chambers as a reserve.

Then there’s the broader toll: 19 Hokies have been officially marked “out,” now up to 20 in the latest report. If you include transfers and departures like James Djonkam, who is no longer listed as being with the team, the attrition tally climbs to 25.

Tailback Terion Stewart remains the central piece of the Hokies’ offense, but his status looms large. Stewart was listed as “questionable” in both Thursday and Friday’s availability reports, and his absence would deal a heavy blow to an offense reliant on his downhill running to set up play-action looks for quarterback Kyron Drones.

“We'll see how he continues to progress,” said Virginia Tech interim head coach Philip Montgomery on Stewart’s availability. “I know he wants to play. We want to make sure that he's healthy and can play at his maximum effort. And so. we'll continue to keep monitoring that as we go through."

With wideout Cam Seldon officially ruled out, the Hokies could once again be forced to lean heavily on Drones’ mobility and short-yardage creativity to keep drives alive. Drones’ ability to escape the pocket could be further compromised, as well, with offensive lineman Montavious Cunningham ruled out for today’s clash.

The Yellow Jackets (5-0, 2-0) enters unbeaten, efficient on both sides of the ball, while Virginia Tech is still searching for rhythm and identity. If the Hokies’ injured or limited players can’t suit up, Georgia Tech possesses the edge across the board, particularly at quarterback. Redshirt senior signal-caller Haynes King leads Georgia Tech in both rushing yards (380) and rushing touchdowns (seven); his quarterback rating of 77.2 ranks No. 25 in the nation, while Drones’ total of 48.3 sits at No. 90 in the nation and 13th in the ACC.

“They're a really, really good offensive football team,” said Virginia Tech cornerbacks Derek “Cheetah” Jones. “They run the football well, which allows them to be able to control the clock. The quarterback commands the offense, does a really good job of taking what the defense gives him. They have two good running backs… they can take it the distance.”

Jones believes that the strengths extends all over the Yellow Jackets offense, including their receiving core and especially, their offensive line.

“Their receiving core, athletic,” Jones said. “No. 4 [Isiah Canion] is a bigger body guy that can catch the ball downfield. Three [Eric Rivers] and eight [Malik Rutherford] both do a really good job of catching screens, kind of running plays that they use within their offense. But they've got weapons at a lot of different places. And probably one of the most impressive things I've seen is the athleticism of the offensive line.

“The offensive line does a really good job of getting to the next level, getting out in space and being able to get on blocks. And oftentimes, the bigger guys are not as good at that, but obviously, they've recruited those type of athletes to be able to do it. So, that poses some problems for the second level guys."

On offense, momentum will hinge largely on Stewart’s availability, the offensive line’s protection and Drones’ ability to sustain drives without forcing throws under pressure. Still, without a reliable rushing attack, those schematic tweaks may not be enough against Georgia tech.

Defensively, the focus is on the front seven — a group that has shown tangible improvement since September but still has something to prove. Virginia Tech’s run defense has tightened significantly after surrendering over 200 rushing yards to Vanderbilt and Old Dominion earlier in the season, but that progress will be tested against a Georgia Tech offense that thrives on balance and motion.

“I think they play very physical,” Montgomery said of the Yellow Jackets’ offense. “They do a great job schematically. They want to run the football. That's what they hang their hat on. I mean, if you listen to [Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key], that's his deal, right?

“[Georgia Tech is] going to run the ball. And so, the way they use Haynes [King], the way they use their running backs, the way they use their tight ends and different stuff, they take pride in what their offensive line and the physicality they play with. We got to match that. We got to be physical. We got to be relentless. And we got to get guys on the ground when we have the opportunity. Try to get them behind the chains, right? Don't let them stay on schedule."

If Keller sits, Chambers and the rest of the linebacking corps will face an enormous task in maintaining gap discipline against one of the most explosive backfields in the conference.

How well Montgomery can keep his players engaged and resilient may determine whether this season spirals or steadies. A competitive showing, or even an upset, would be a powerful statement that the team refuses to crumble under adversity.

But Georgia Tech is the next stop in a grueling gauntlet to close Virginia Tech’s season. The remainder of the Hokies’ schedule includes several opponents atop the ACC, such as Louisville, No. 2 Miami and No. 19 Virginia. Only one matchup appears favorable on paper, according to ESPN’s FPI. With the ACC race tightening, the transfer portal opening soon and a permanent head-coach search looming, the pressure on Montgomery and his staff only intensifies each week.

Virginia Tech takes on Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET, with viewing available on the ACC Network. The challenge is as clear as it is daunting: stay healthy, stay together and find a way to fight back in a season that simultaneously feels like there’s everything and nothing to fight for.