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September 15, 2026
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NEWS BUSINESS HORIZONS RETURNS FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
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Hannah Skemp | Assistant News Editor Students had an opportunity to network with employers and explore internships and jobs. Pamplin College of Business hosted its largest career fair of the year, Business Horizons, on Sept. 9-10. The fair was organized by Pamplin Career Services and over 130 companies, including Accenture, Deloitte and Capital One, were represented at Squires Student Center to connect with students and alumni about career opportunities. The career fair is open to all students and alumni regardless of major. Business Horizons was held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and gives students the ability to network with employers, gain information about different industries and explore jobs, internships and other career opportunities.
Students were able to speak directly with recruiters, learn more about different companies and recruiters’ experiences, and ask questions about positions they may be interested in. Career fairs also allow students to make professional connections that can be continued after the event. Students were instructed to dress in business professional attire and bring multiple copies of their resume to hand out. It’s also recommended that students research the companies attending the fair to learn about potential job openings and come prepared with questions. VT’s Career Service organization
OUR CORE VALUES Impartiality means reporting, editing and delivering the news honestly, fairly, objectively and without opinion or bias. Credibility is the greatest asset of any news medium, and impartiality is the greatest source of credibility. To provide the most complete report, a news organization must not just cover the news, but uncover it. It must follow the story wherever it leads, regardless of any preconceived ideas on what might be most newsworthy. The pursuit of truth is a noble goal of journalism. But the truth is not always apparent or known immediately. Journalists’ role is therefore not to determine what they believe at that time to be the truth and reveal only
that to their readers, but rather to report as completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth. When a news organization delivers both news and opinions, the impartiality and credibility of the news organization can be questioned. To minimize this as much as possible there needs to be a sharp and clear distinction between news and opinion, both to those providing and consuming the news.
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gives a plethora of resources to prepare for Business Horizons in advance. Students can schedule meetings with the Career Services team to review their resumes, practice their pitches, receive tips on how to approach and speak with recruiters. “Prepare for the Fair” is an event hosted by Pamplin where students can learn more about career fair preparation and can take advantage of Pamplin’s Career Outfitters Closet, which provides students access to professional clothing they can borrow for Business Horizons. Career fairs like Business Horizons are beneficial for students and can help the job search process. Virginia Tech’s most recent post-graduation outcomes show that 60.7% of graduates were employed full-time, while 23% continued their education. Only 11.2% of graduates were seeking employment. Business Horizons also serves as a way to explore different industries and
learn what employers are looking for in potential candidates for students who are unsure of their future career path. Business Horizons will return Feb. 4, 2027, giving students another opportunity to meet with employers. Various other career fairs will take place throughout the academic year. More information can be found on the Career and Professional Development page.
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SEXUAL ASSAULT ALERTS ON CAMPUS Caitlin McKelvey | News Writer
Three sexual assault reports have been sent out by Virginia Tech Police in the last three weeks. Three weeks into the semester, Virginia Tech students have received three crime alerts for sexual assault on campus. Sent by the Virginia Tech Police, these email alerts typically provide the date, relative time and location of the incident, and the victim and perpetrator’s relationship. These emails also include resources for survivors and information about reporting sexual assault. Crime alerts are sent when the police chief determines that a crime is an ongoing or serious threat to the university. While sexual assault usually falls under these criteria, incidents are evaluated based on certain factors like time, location and information available to the police. This means that the number of alerts does not necessarily represent the number of incidents that occur.
Sexual assault is considered a vastly underreported crime. Virginia Tech’s 2025 Jeanne Clery Safety Act Report recorded 27 sexual-assault offenses in 2022, 27 in 2023 and 20 in 2024 on the Blacksburg campus, combining rape and fondling offenses. In 2024 alone, the university recorded six rapes and four fondling offenses. However, these numbers are not representative of the entirety of sexual crime at Virginia Tech. Clery statistics are based on crimes reported to campus security authorities on campus or in the surrounding areas. Additionally, many instances of sexual assault are never reported to the authorities. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, approximately one in six freshman girls experience sexual assault in their first year of college. It is important to note that sexual assault reports from Virginia Tech
police may not be an accurate representation of sexual assault on campus; around 90% of sexual assaults on college campuses are not reported to authorities. As a result, the crime alerts only represent a portion of sexual assault on campus, leaving students to question the alerts’ role in campus safety. Students on campus have different reactions to the crime alerts themselves. Some view them as an important publicsafety measure because they keep students informed about potential risks and provide resources that they might not have otherwise known about. However, some students still wonder whether the alerts go far enough. Some students are frustrated that suspects’ names are not included and believe that identifying alleged perpetrators could help prevent additional assaults. Others question whether alerts are an illusion
of performance because they provide information about an incident, but little information regarding further action. At the same time, receiving repeated alerts can be difficult for survivors of sexual assault and could also serve as unwanted reminders of their own experiences. Virginia Tech offers a Rape Aggression Defense System (R.A.D. for Women) class, a program through campus police that teaches physical defense and sexual assault risk reduction strategies. Safe at VT offers resources for students to file reports and extensive counseling services to support survivors.
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GUADALUPE MARAVILLA ART EXHIBIT OPENS IN THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS Marley Vann | News Writer
Maravillas’ art shows his healing process throughout his life.
Courtesy of Center for the Arts
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the Center for the Arts opened the Guadalupe Marav illas ar t ex hibition. The
Salvadorian artist’s work consists of several sculptures, paintings, performance acts and installations.
Maravillas’ art represents his own life and the process of his healing. From being an 8-year-old boy immigrating to the United States on his own to battling cancer, he not only heals himself but aims to heal various communities with his art as well. In an interview at Biennale Arte 2026, Maravilla explains that his art heals others, not only by bringing awareness about undocumented immigrants, but through actions as well. “I do coat drives and food drives in my exhibitions. I do healing works, meditations with other healers,” Maravilla said. In some of Maravilla’s works, he supports traditional artists and sustainable local craft economies by commissioning artists Alfredo Vilchis and Daniel Vilchis to hand-paint each work in the exhibit. Maravilla then sculpts using his materials and sets a painting in a sculpture, creating works
such as “Tijuana Retablo.” Maravilla’s work embodies the community of healers that came together for him when he was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. Healers from around the world taught him about meditation, sound and other different forms of healing techniques that he now expresses through his own art form. Over the next two months, Maravilla invites Virginia Tech to come together to learn more about his healing and indigenous culture through sculptures, paintings and sounds. The exhibit is open until Nov. 21.
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LIFESTYLES REMINDERS TO MAKE THE MOST OF FALL FAMILY WEEKEND COLLEGIATETIMES.COM
Cat Pizzarello | Managing Editor
Not sure what to do on Fall Family Weekend? Here are some suggestions to maximize your time with loved ones. With school back in session, it’s likely been a few weeks since Hokies have seen their loved ones. Homesickness has set in and students may miss the comfort of familiarity. Luckily for them, Fall Family Weekend is right around the corner, bringing students back together with their families on Oct. 2-4. The fall semester comes with many exciting things to do: sporting events, warm-weather hiking and Saturdays at the Blacksburg farmers market, to name a few. With such a busy itinerary, it can be hard to fit it all in. Here are a few reminders to make the most of this year’s Fall Family Weekend. Get organized Living in two places makes organizing belongings difficult; forgetting something is inevitable. With family visiting, this is the perfect opportunity to retrieve those forgotten items. Remind parents to bring this and that and send home items that may take up too much space or aren’t of use. Clothes are often a college student’s biggest challenge when it comes to space issues. If students don’t have space for all their clothes, sending home some warm-weather clothing can free up space for jackets and coats necessary in Blacksburg’s harsh winters. Book things in advance Despite its many joys, Fall Family Weekend also unfortunately means crowds, busy restaurants and overpriced hotel stays. Planning early on ensures students and families avoid long waits and costly visits. Although it’s a tad late for hotel bookings, hotels in Christiansburg and Radford are close enough to Blacksburg for easy travel and far less expensive. Additionally, it’s not too early to book those restaurant reservations. Make those arrangements as soon as possible, as restaurants fill up quickly during Fall Family Weekend. Now is also the final chance to purchase tickets for families planning on attending events around campus. Bring a little something from home
A Virginia Tech family smiles together. A lthough Blacksburg has many wonderful qualities, it lacks some students’ favorite grocery stores: Trader Joe’s, Costco and Wegmans, to name a few. Fall Family Weekend is the perfect time to stock up students with all their favorite foods from home. A Costco run, in particular, is good for getting bulk items for cheap. Stock up on Kirkland paper towels, toilet paper and especially tissues for when the Hokie Plague hits. Cook a family recipe together Fall Family Weekend comes with its fair share of crowds, especially in Blacksburg’s selection of delicious restaurants. By now, dining hall food has likely gotten repetitive, and a change of pace can be nice. For students living off campus, consider staying in and cooking a family recipe together instead. Be sure to make extra so students can enjoy their favorite meals days after their family has left Blacksburg. Take a trip to the VT bookstore
PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH NEWS
Virginia Tech is all about spirit, and with a promising football season on the horizon, the energy is high. Whether intentional or not, students seem to end up with an abundance of Hokie spirit gear, and family members can support that spirit too. A trip to the Virginia Tech Bookstore is necessary for decking the whole family out in maroon and orange. From bumper magnets to water bottles, there are so many options to sport the Hokies’ classic colors. Pass on wisdom There are many joys that come along with Fall Family Weekend but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for some work. As students grow into their individuality as adults, there is a lot to learn and take care of on their own. Families can help by checking in on car maintenance, finances and career-related progression, such as resumes and internships. Don’t be afraid to lean on family for
help during this transition. This is a great way to connect with family members over their learned experiences. A l ittle love from home One of the most important parts of Fall Family Weekend is being reunited with loved ones. Get all the hugs in, reminisce on memories and make the most of the weekend together. For students without family visiting, it’s okay to lean on the found family they’ve made at Virginia Tech. Being a Hokie means being part of a community that extends beyond Fall Family Weekend. Whatever your story is this Fall Family Weekend, tell someone you love them, make memories that last a lifetime and appreciate every moment.
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September 15, 2026 PAGE 5
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HOKIE HOUSEHOLDS: PASSING DOWN THE HOKIE SPIRIT Aleeza Ali | Lifestyles Staff Writer
Lifestyles staff writer Aleeza Ali explores the legacy of Virginia Tech pride across generations. Addie Warnick loved Virginia Tech from an early age. Warnick and her sisters were decked out in Hokie gear throughout their childhood, and their father, a loyal Hokie, made sure to never miss a game. When she was 12, Warnick’s father took her to Virginia Tech and shared his favorite spots on campus, telling her more about his time there. From that day, she knew this was the school for her. Years later, Warnick returned to Blacksburg, this time as a Hokie herself. Warnick, a sophomore majoring in international studies, is a student whose connection to Virginia Tech began before her own college experience. For students with parents who attended the university, traditions and places can carry meaning from one generation to the next. At the same time, parents have the opportunity to watch their children create experiences of their own. “As we walked through campus, my
dad would point out all of the places where he had his best memories and take me to every dorm room he’d lived in,” Warnick said. “I knew I wanted to come here and make my own memories, just like the ones he had.” Warnick’s father, Justin Warnick, attended Virginia Tech from 1997 to 2002 and majored in accounting. After coming to Blacksburg from Maryland, his love for the university continued long after graduation. “I think it is so cool that my own dad walked this same campus as a 19-yearold, and now I get to experience it for myself,” Addie Warnick said. Before her freshman year, Addie Warnick worried she’d have trouble finding her place in college. Her father encouraged her to meet new people and try new things, advice she said helped her realize how kind the Hokie community is. While Addie Warnick has experienced
Virginia Tech in the footsteps of her father, Karla Kratovil has experienced the generational connection from the perspective of a parent. Kratovil graduated from Virginia Tech in 1998 with a degree in history, along with her husband, Ken Kratovil, a finance major she met through mutual friends while they were students. Karla Kratovil wrote her number down on a napkin for him, and the two have been together ever since. Now, the Kratovils’ tie to Virginia Tech has continued through their children. Their daughter, Evelyn Kratovil, is a senior at VT majoring in hospitality and tourism management, while their son, Cole Kratovil, a biological sciences major, began his freshman year this fall. Karla Kratovil said Cole Kratovil’s decision to attend Virginia Tech was an easy one. “Virginia Tech is like coming home,” Karla Kratovil said.
Karla Kratovil and her husband return to Blacksburg for football games and love watching their daughter perform as part of the Marching Virginians. Some things at Virginia Tech have changed since her time there; the university has grown in size, but some things have stayed the same. “Games are just as electric and fun as they always were when (Ken and I) were there,” Karla Kratovil said. “The beautiful campus and the small-town feel that somehow Blacksburg has kept is the same. As is the Hokie spirit.” The Kratovils’ Hokie spirit extended beyond trips to Blacksburg. Growing up, Cole Kratovil often wore his father’s Virginia Tech shirts, with one of his coaches joking he was “sponsored by Virginia Tech.” “The best part about all of us being Hokies is that we are always cheering together for the same team,” Karla Kratovil said.
FALL FAMILY WEEKEND: NAVIGATING BLACKSBURG ON A BUDGET Willow Musterman | Lifestyles Staff Writer
Check out some of Blacksburg’s budget-friendly activities for Fall Family Weekend. Virginia Tech’s annual Fall Family Weekend is coming up on Oct. 2, as is the search for budget-friendly activities in Blacksburg. While it may be a college town full of restaurants, football and students, there is much more to the area than meets the eye. One activity that attracts families every year is attending Virginia Tech football games. The game during family weekend will be at Lane Stadium on Oct. 2, at 7:00 p.m., versus the Pittsburgh Panthers. For those who don’t want to spend money on the game, here is a list of other things to do in and around Blacksburg to ensure a fun-filled weekend. Blacksburg Activities The second annual Rocktoberfest will be one of the main events following the football game from 4-8 p.m. on Oct. 3. At
this free event, live music, food, drinks, shopping and a potential visit from the HokieBird are expected to keep the crowd entertained. The Blacksburg Farmers Market will be open Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Market Square Park. The Farmers Market is home to a variety of shops that sell locally grown produce, meats and handmade crafts. While parking at the Virginia Tech media lot is free on Saturdays, other parking options include Kent Square Parking Garage and metered lots around town. Outdoor Activities While downtown Blacksburg will be hosting various activities, it is important to remember that Virginia Tech is located in Southwest Virginia and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains — outdoor adventures are endless.
There are many notable hiking trails within a short distance of Virginia Tech, one of the most popular being Cascade Falls. This hike is approximately four miles round trip, with a 69-foot waterfall being the main attraction. The Triple Crown of Virginia, which consists of three legs, is another option for a family-friendly activity a mere 40 minutes from campus. It consists of McAfee Knob, Dragon’s Tooth and Tinker Cliffs. These three hikes can each be done individually and have their own unique views waiting at the top. The McAfee Knob Shuttle runs on weekends from March to November, making the trip more accessible and easing the stress of parking. Restaurants Blacksburg also has a multitude of
restaurant options, many of which can be enjoyed on a budget. One restaurant frequented by many is El Rodeo, a Blacksburg staple that serves Mexican cuisine. Located on College Avenue, Souvlaki is another budget-friendly option. It’s most notable for Greek cuisine, though its menu contains a variety of options. Hefun, a restaurant that primarily serves Asian cuisine, is located on North Main Street. Some of its popular dishes include hibachi, sushi and ramen. While Virginia Tech has various activities to offer this upcoming Fall Family Weekend, many are often forgotten. Blacksburg can be enjoyable without extra spending.
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OPINIONS HAVE HOPE DESPITE THE HEADLINES COLLEGIATETIMES.COM
Kennedy Monahan | Opinions Columnist
In a world that often seems overwhelmingly negative, hope is a person’s most important tool. At the beginning of my media writing class, we spent a little bit of time reading news headlines, and in one class, everyone seemed to have a headline about something bad happening in the world. Think about it — when was the last time you saw a positive news headline? As I read through the news the next day, it truly felt like there was nothing good happening in the world. I’ve gotten used to this feeling. As someone majoring in both journalism and political science, I spend a lot of time reading the news. Due to this, I’ve almost become desensitized to the headlines I stumble across. Though I don’t think I’m alone in this experience, it’s not a good feeling to have. I’ve realized that if you don’t feel anything when reading about what’s going on in the world, you miss out on feeling like things can get better. When you feel nothing, you’re accepting that this is just how the world works and nothing can be done about it. Even if you do feel something when reading a news article, most of the time it’s a negative feeling. However, there’s an emotion that we all seem to have forgotten: hope. Hope seems to be in short supply these days. The majority of Americans say the country’s best years are behind us. On top of that, the share of Americans saying they think the year ahead will be better than the previous year is currently the lowest since 2020. Can you blame them? News stories tend to be negative because people are more likely to click on a headline when it contains negative words. Therefore, news agencies aren’t going to publish articles about good things that are happening. So, despite the good the world has to offer, it more than likely won’t be on the news. This is probably why so many people have a negative outlook on the future. They feel like nothing can be done about how the world works. However, nothing will change if you believe nothing can change. That’s what makes hope such a beautiful thing.
COURTESY OF GETTYIMAGES.
When people have hope, change becomes a realistic possibility. Even though having a hopeful outlook is easier said than done, everyone should at least try to bring more hope into their lives. A CBS article I tend to look back on is called “The History of Hope in America.” It was written in 2008, but it rings true even today. It opens with information about Obama’s presidential campaign before going into historical moments in the United States that would not have been possible without hope. The revolutionaries who fought for our independence, the abolitionists who called for an end to slavery; the suffragettes who pushed for women’s rights, the activists who fought for civil rights and so much more. These events have shaped the
United States into what it is today and wouldn’t have been possible had there not been someone who hoped. “Nothing in this country worthwhile has ever happened except when somebody somewhere was willing to hope,” Obama said. No matter where you stand politically, that is a quote many people in the United States need to hear right now. It serves as a reminder of the power that hope can have. Pessimism is the dominant view of many Americans right now, but it does not have to stay that way. It’s okay to worry about the future and it’s okay to be anxious about the current state of the country. Even though it is easier for people to focus on pessimistic news, make sure you’re still remembering the good things happening in your life.
Sometimes, looking up “good news happening in the world” can be enough to show you that not everything is doom and gloom. So, next time you read a news headline that makes you feel as if there’s no good in this country, have hope. There will be times when you think you’re powerless but remember: Nothing lasts forever. Believe that change is possible because the way things are now won’t last forever but only if you hope so.
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September 15, 2026 PAGE 7
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CLOSING THE GAP: WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE Emily Urda| Opinions Editor
Funding gaps, a lack of representative clinical trials and dismissed pain — women deserve better healthcare and more research. Period pain is universal. About 60% of women deal with excruciating pain. Before I begin writing, I’d like to mention that this research not only just serves the majority of women who menstruate, but also individuals who identify as a different gender and have a female reproductive system. People all around the world deal with debilitating pain due to their periods, but what happens when that pain is too difficult to bear? Women are told to suck it up and are expected to wake up in the morning and trudge to class while feeling stabbing pains in their uterus, while being lightheaded and nauseated. It is frustrating that women and people with uteruses feel they have to hide that they are menstruating or have to be quiet about the pain that comes with it. We deserve more access, education and funding — all around the world. One of the first thoughts I had when I became a woman on one fateful afternoon was, “Are these products really it?” A pad the size of a diaper, and a medieval-looking torture device, fitted with futuristic green or purple plastic. We now have Diva Cups
and period underwear, thank you, but really, that’s it? With studies coming out about arsenic in tampons and microplastics in pads, it can be overwhelming to know what to trust and what to use. As a young woman, it’s terrifying. I’m terrified. This fear comes from knowing that this is all under-studied, and that we have only recently begun looking at what’s actually in these products. These issues are the culmination of many years of clinical trials and research done without women. In 1993, it became a federal law that women are required to be included in clinical trials. Research takes years and breakthroughs happen randomly, if even. Despite this, there still isn’t equitable funding and research for women’s healthcare; the estimated yearly gap is about 314 billion dollars. Women’s health research receives 10% less funding than men’s, which makes the gap much wider than depicted. Diseases that affect both men and women will be more generously funded if it is men who are more often affected. I witnessed this firsthand when the lab I worked in my freshman year did not receive substantial funding my sophomore year. We studied Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus, which almost always develops in women. When I started writing this article, I wondered if we had research here at Virginia Tech that supported women’s health research. I was pleasantly surprised to find a center here in the engineering department called Forging Expertise in Modern Technology and Engineering through a Convergence of Hokies. At the center of FEMTECH is Rafaella De Vita, a researcher in the mechanical engineering department. She studies the biomechanics of the vaginal canal, in other words, the “stretch.” She also studies the “stretch” of pelvic floor muscles, reproductive organs and tissues/cells found in the female reproductive system. Her lab contains a series of equipment that is used to apply different kinds of force to see how cells and other tissues, deformable bodies, begin to deform upon pinpointed stress. With this data, doors can be opened for medical products that treat genito-pelvic pain, create a better speculum, understand childbirth mechanics or create a gentler tampon. I’m happy to say that the engineering
department has backed De Vita’s research immensely and FEMTECH will be expanding. De Vita hopes that FEMTECH becomes transdisciplinary and that Virginia Tech can become known for groundbreaking research done for women’s healthcare. She is looking for students who are interested and passionate about closing the gap. Historically, the female reproductive system has been immensely underfunded and understudied. Despite this, research is still being carried out and people are dedicating their lives to understanding the female reproductive system and autoimmune diseases that affect women, like lupus. My hope is that my peers at Virginia Tech in biomedical engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, biology and other departments conducting translational research keep in mind the inequities, conduct fair trials and consciously think about what they are contributing to. Let’s close the gap.
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SPORTS
MEN’S SOCCER FALLS 3-1 TO ETSU Brody Bryan | Sports Editor The Hokies’ three-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Wednesday night.
Virginia Tech’s loss to East Tennessee State was one that the stat sheet couldn’t really explain. The Hokies outshot the Buccaneers 18-10. They put seven of those on goal to ETSU’s four and had two more corner kicks. They fell 3-1. That’s how soccer goes sometimes. It certainly was Wednesday night, as the Buccaneers stunned the Hokies at Thompson Field for their first win over Tech since 2011. Tech controlled most of the possession early but gave away a goal to Buccaneers forward Gavin Dick in the tenth minute after he ripped a shot from the top of the penalty box into the bottom-right corner of the net. The early deficit didn’t stop the Hokies from creating chances, but finishing them proved to be a different story.
Sophomore defender Amir Ariely found himself one-on-one with Buccaneers goalkeeper Noe Delmotte after a nice sequence of passes, but he sent his effort soaring over the crossbar. Junior midfielder Alex Perez took a shot from an open space near the penalty spot minutes later but that too missed the mark, and Tech trailed 1-0 at the halftime whistle despite outshooting the Buccaneers 12-4. The pressure didn’t carry over early in the second half. Tech didn’t tally its first shot until nearly 20 minutes into the half, and even when the team threatened, it wasn’t catching any breaks. Freshman midfielder Parker Polk went down in the penalty area, but after review, the referee waved away the Hokies’ appeal for a penalty kick. Despite a slew of opportunities, it felt like the Hokies couldn’t buy a goal.
Until redshirt senior midfielder Mathias Yohannes played a long ball up into no-man’s-land near ETSU’s penalty area, Delmotte attempted to come out to deal with the danger, but Hokies forward Alvaro Ruiz-Mateos beat him to the ball and pushed it by him to even the match; that relief, however, was short-lived. Just minutes after the goal, Buccaneers forward Elliot Edwards had a massive opportunity to put ETSU back in front, but lastditch defending from Hokies goalkeeper Diego Dauzier and the back line denied the opportunity to keep the score tied at one. Edwards wouldn’t be denied for long, though. With just over three minutes to play, Buccaneers forward Jaime Carrillo played a touchline pass that found Edwards open in frontofgoal,and hedidn’t miss.In a matterof minutes, the Hokies went from finally finding
an equalizer to staring down another deficit. Shortly after Edwards’s lead-reclaiming tally, ETSU midfielder Joe Gonzalez won the ball at midfield. Dauzier was caught off his line, and Gonzalez launched a 50-yard strike over the head of the Hokies goalkeeper and into the back of the net to seal an improbable 3-1 win. A match Tech had statistically controlled for much of the night had completely slipped away in just a few minutes. The Hokies had the shots, the chances and the possession, but ETSU had the statistic that ultimately mattered: Three goals to one. The Hokies will face Wake Forest on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
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VIRGINIA TECH CLAIMS REVENGE ON OLD DOMINION IN 44-21 WIN
PAGE 8 September 15, 2026
COLLEGIATETIMES.COM
Alex Winn | Sports Editor
The Hokies dominated an Old Dominion squad that punked them a year ago.
RILEY THOMPSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Luke Reynolds (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in Lane Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va.
Three hundred sixty-four days before the Hokies’ 44-21 victory over Old Dominion at Lane Stadium on Saturday, the very same matchup produced a dramatically different result. On Sept. 13th, 2025, the Hokies fell to the Monarchs 45-26, leading to the firing of then head coach and now current defensive coordinator Brent Pry. “I feel like this year, after what happened last year, we came out with a chip on our shoulders,” said Virginia Tech defensive end Mylachi Williams. The Hokies didn’t resemble the team that lost 45-26 last year. Instead of falling behind quickly like last time, they took the lead early and refused to relinquish it. “Last year dead and gone,” said Hokies’ safety Tyson Flowers. “There’s nothing we can do to control last year.” Pry’s defense was the story of the game. It totaled 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries, one of which went for a firstquarter touchdown only after a bizarre sequence. Linebacker Keon Wylie picked up the
football on a strip sack and had gobs of green grass in front of him. It seemed like he scored at first, but a review determined that Wylie dropped the ball a yard away from the end zone. For some reason, he transferred the ball from his right to left hand just before crossing the pylon but couldn’t hold on, leading to an Old Dominion recovery and touchback. Even stranger, on the first play following the touchback, Williams crushed Old Dominion quarterback Quinn Henicle, forcing yet another fumble that Flowers took to the house — this time for good. “The thing I’m kicking myself about is that, for the last 16 years, I show the team every clip in college football or the NFL of guys not finishing through the end zone, and it drives me bonkers,” said Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin. “Now everyone across the country is going to be showing ours, that’s something I’m not real happy with.” “(Wylie) dropped (the ball) on the touchdown line and then we had to go back out there, and nobody hesitated,” said Hokies defensive end Cortez
Harris. “No fear in nobody’s eyes. We all strapped back up, got out there, and then, pew, got another one.” The Hokies had possession to start the second quarter, and were driving to try and respond to a Monarchs field goal. Hokies’ junior quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer leaned on veteran tight end and fellow Penn State transfer Luke Reynolds the entire drive, throwing the ball his way four times for 61 yards and the drive-capping score. The pair put their new team ahead 24-3. The junior tight end had the best game of his collegiate career, totaling eight catches for 108 yards and two scores — all career highs. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s been crazy,” Harris, also a Penn State transfer, said of Grunkemeyer and Reynolds’ connection. “I’ve seen it from when it started up until now, and it’s only going up. All of spring ball, I’m watching it. Then I see fall camp, and I’m like, ‘woah, it’s gonna be something.’ Then I see the first game, and I’m like, ‘woah, this is more than I thought.’” After a third forced fumble — the second of the game for Williams — the Hokies found themselves with the ball at the Monarchs’ 20-yard line. The drive was similar to the last; Grunkemeyer reinforced his chemistry with Reynolds by finding him for another touchdown. One drive later, senior wide receiver Que’Sean Brown made his impact felt before the offense walked on the field, returning a punt to the Old Dominion 1-yard line, though the Hokies stalled and settled for three. The Monarchs scored a field goal as the first-half clock hit zero, and the Hokies entered the break up 34-6. “I think the combination of (Ethan) Grunkemeyer, (Brown) and Luke (Reynolds) is problematic,” Franklin said. “When you got a tight end on one side and a slot receiver on the other, that’s difficult for a defense to stop.” The second half was less eventful than the first; the Hokies pulled most of their starters halfway through the fourth quarter, when the game was all but decided. The third quarter
featured a John Love field goal that put the Hokies up 37-6, followed by an Old Dominion touchdown drive highlighted by a one-handed 34-yard catch by wide receiver Josh Rodriguez, which he fought through pass interference for. The redshirt freshman flashed all day for the Monarchs, making multiple spectacular toe-tapping and diving catches to finish with three receptions for 89 yards. The fourth quarter started with both teams’ quarterbacks trading rushing touchdowns. Henicle’s was more impressive — a 76-yard read option that saw the seas part for an easy score. The other was a quarterback sneak at the 1-yard line for Grunkemeyer. Henicle finished 13-for-21 with 187 yards and a score while leading ODU in rushing with 83 yards on 16 attempts. Grunkemeyer finished the game with the best stat line of his career, going 31-for-41 with 327 yards and three touchdowns, two passing and the other on the ground. Henicle’s dash and t wo-point conversion made the Virginia Tech lead 44-21 with 7:49 left in the fourth quarter. That score held until the final whistle The Hokies’ 2-0 start marks their best open to a season since 2021. The Monarchs, on the other hand, had a seven-game winning streak dating back to last season be snapped in dominant fashion. Most importantly for the Hokies, they look much improved from the team that lost to the same opponent in humiliating fashion less than a calendar year ago. The Hokies hope to stay hot and make their case for a ranking next week, when they travel to play the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
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