Hokie ClubHeading into their first meeting in Huntington since 2011, the Hokies and Thundering Herd each eye a key non-conference victory when they meet inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for noon ET with the game airing on ESPN2.
Huntington Homecoming
There's certainly no shortage of storylines when it comes to the connections between these two proud programs each and every time these two teams meet. With multiple members of the current Tech program still draped in kelly green from their previous stop, it serves as a focal point for what to keep in mind when the Hokies and Herd meet on the gridiron in due time.
Though still tabbed as questionable for this upcoming week, Tech quarterback Grant Wells is set to make his return to Huntington for the first time since his departure from campus in December of 2021. The two-year starter for the Thundering Herd threw for over 5,600 yards during his time suiting up in the Mountain State, finding the end zone 34 times and finishing 2020 as Conference USA's Freshman of the Year.
The ties don't stop there. Defensive end C.J. McCray is also slated to venture back to his old stomping grounds. The redshirt junior didn't see any action in his lone season at Marshall during the 2020 campaign, but has showcased his playmaking abilities at the highest of levels with his 24 total tackles and four tackles for loss over the past two seasons for Tech up front.
Associate head coach J.C. Price additionally heads back to Huntington for the first time since he left the Thundering Herd following the end of a pandemic-riddled 2020. The former defensive standout during his playing days with the Hokies spent nine seasons commanding the Marshall defensive line and is now scheduled to find himself on the opposite sideline, repping his alma mater this time around.
The Drones Effect
With a slew of uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position for this upcoming weekend, the presence of Baylor transfer quarterback Kyron Drones continues to loom around the Hokies' offense.
Making his first start of his collegiate career a week ago against Rutgers, the 6-foot-2, 234-pounder not only racked up 74 yards on 22 attempts to provide a spark to the ground game, but found success in the air in the 35-16 defeat.
Drones connected on 19-of-32 pass attempts that went for 190 yards and a touchdown on Saturday afternoon, also finishing the day with a solid 78.6 pass grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Praised for his ability to move the ball on the ground, Drones certainly doesn't limit the Hokies to a one-dimensional offense, and could be an important piece moving forward should his number continue to get called.
An Interesting Battle
It's no secret that Tech football has forever had a longstanding tradition with its secondary stars and relentless backside defense. This year serves as no exception.
The Hokies currently find themselves ranked fourth in college football in passing yards allowed, with Tech giving up just 129.3 yards per game so far this season.
On the flip side, Marshall finds itself ranked 46th nationally in passing offense, with the Thundering Herd having averaged 264.5 yards per contest two games into the 2023 campaign.
In their first three games, the Hokies have given up a combined 388 yards in the air, with the defense only surrendering 94 yards in the pass game to Old Dominion and just 46 to Rutgers in this past weekend's loss. For comparison, Marshall threw for 261 yards last time out alone, with the Herd torching East Carolina in the air in a 31-13 victory.
Unfamiliar Territory
Though rich in both history and crossover over the course of over 100 years, the Hokies and Thundering Herd have only met nine times since 1940. Tech has won all nine matchups, with the program outscoring Marshall 284-122 over that period of time. It's only the second time the Hokies have traveled to Huntington since the aforementioned meeting with the Herd back in 1940, with Tech just 1-2 in the abbreviated series so far on the road.
Saturday afternoon will also mark the first time that a Power Five foe has traveled to Marshall since NC State did so in 2018, with the Hokies having a unique opportunity to even their season up and head into conference play at 2-2 on the 2023 campaign.