Hokies Defense Reborn Against VMI | Virginia Tech Hokie Football News

Virginia Tech’s defense gets its first real test of the season against FCS rival VMI — a team they haven’t faced since 1984 and who’ve won just one game in the last two years. With Brent Pry now leading the unit as defensive coordinator, this is their chance to prove they’ve turned the corner after a brutal 2023 campaign that included a loss to Old Dominion — the team that cost Pry his job. Success starts at the line: they must dominate the point of attack, force third-down stops, and keep opponents off the field — something they struggled with last year, allowing over 46% of third-down conversions and giving up more than 30 points per game. Key players like Kemari Copeland and Javion Hilson need to be disruptive, pressuring the QB and forcing negative plays. The secondary, built through transfers, must also show cohesion without facing punishment — and a takeaway or two would be a huge bonus. This isn’t just about winning; it’s about setting the tone for what’s to come. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/671fbe26b2f040f4