Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – After securing a road victory over the NC State Wolfpack this past weekend, the Hokies are primed to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. Virginia Tech (2-3, 1-0 ACC) enters the contest on the right foot in conference play after last week’s victory, while Wake Forest (2-2, 0-2 ACC) will be searching for its first ACC win. This week’s First Look, sponsored by CMG Leasing, takes a deep dive and focuses on what Hokie Nation can expect from the sixth game of the 2025 campaign.
How to Follow:
TV: The game will be televised on The CW with Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Will Blackmon (analyst) and Wes Bryant (sidelines) on the call.
Radio: The Virginia Tech Sports Network can be heard on 40+ radio stations across the Commonwealth including 105.3 FM in Blacksburg. Bill Roth will handle play-by-play duties while Mike Burnop provides color commentary and Zach Mackey reports from the sideline.
Live Audio: Listen to live audio coverage of the matchup at HokieSports.com/listen or through the HokieSports mobile app.
Live Stats: Monitor the game through live stats on HokieSports.com, including play-by-play updates and full team and individual statistics.
Social Media: Stay connected with the Hokies on Twitter (@HokiesFB), Instagram (@hokiesfb), and Facebook (@VirginiaTechFB).
Things to Know:
The success of the Tech running back room is threatening for the Demon Deacons.
As displayed by running back Terion Stewart’s monstrous 15-carry, 174-yard performance against the Wolfpack this past weekend, the Hokie running back room is hitting its stride as the season progresses. Both Stewart and Marcellous Hawkins Jr., two transfers who have been offensive forces in their first year in Blacksburg, have contributed to the team’s prowess on the ground in 2025.
The type of success running back coach Elijah Brooks’s room is enjoying at this point in the season is untimely for Wake Forest. Through four games this season, the Demon Deacons have the fourth-worst ranked run defense in the ACC, giving up an average of 140 rush yards per game to opposing offenses. Further, Wake Forest returned just four defensive starters from its 2024 run, giving the Hokies a chance to capitalize against a group that’s currently allowed 340.5 yards of total offense per game to opponents.
A Wake Forest Homecoming matchup has historically boded well for the Hokies.
On top of what promises to be an exciting conference matchup on Saturday, Virginia Tech will also be hosting its annual Homecoming celebration on the day of the game. Blacksburg will play host to thousands of current and former students, bringing fans of Hokie Nation back home to Blacksburg for one exciting weekend.
Interesting to note: In the four times Virginia Tech has hosted both Homecoming and Wake Forest on a Saturday in the fall, the Hokies have won each matchup. The most recent Homecoming matchup between Tech and the Demon Deacons, which came on Oct. 14, 2023, featured an impressive two-touchdown performance from wideout Jaylin Lane in a 30-13 Hokie victory.
Historically, Tech football has outscored Wake Forest 111-53 in the four Homecoming games played in Blacksburg. If the Hokies can finish victorious this weekend, the game will serve as the third consecutive Homecoming game victory dating back to 2023.
Players to Know:
Tight End Benji Gosnell
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 254 pounds, redshirt junior Benji Gosnell has been having himself a productive season in his fourth year with the Hokies. The tight end leads his positional group in receptions (9) and yards (71) through five games this season, his impact seen in instances like his leaping 14-yard reception against NC State last weekend.
Gosnell historically performs well when the Hokies celebrate Homecoming. In last year’s Homecoming win against Georgia Tech, the North Carolina native led the offense in receptions (5) and yards (59) while also hauling in a touchdown.
Safety Christian Ellis
Senior Christian Ellis launched himself into the defensive spotlight after his fourth quarter pass breakup closed the door on a Wolfpack rally last weekend. However, his pass defense has been quietly leading defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes’s group, as the New Mexico transfer leads the team both in breakups (3) and pass deflections (3) in his four games as a Hokie. Ellis has also logged seven tackles in 2025, six of which have come in the last two contests.