Keys to victory in Virginia tech football's season opener against VMI DAMIEN SORDELETT The Roanoke Times Sep 5, 2026 56 mins ago 0 × DAMIEN SORDELETT The Roanoke Times Virginia Tech coach James Franklin breaks down the Hokies' depth at safety and why the addition of DQ Smith helps this season. Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Here are the keys to victory for Virginia Tech and VMI when the Hokies and Keydets meet on Saturday at Lane Stadium.k9am':C8:?:2 %649k^9amkAmkDEC@?8ms@>:?2E6ik^DEC@?8m %96 w@<:6D @A6?65 2D 2 d_]d\A@:?E 72G@C:E6 @G6C E96 z6J56ED] %96 =:?6 92D 7=F4EF2E65 36EH66? E96 >:5\ 2?5 9:89\d_D 27E6C '|x’D (66< _ =@DD 2E x529@ $E2E6] x? y2>6D uC2?<=:?’D 7:CDE 82>6 =625:?8 ':C8:?:2 %649[ E96 9@DED ?665 E@ D9@H H9J '682D G:6HD E96> 2D 962GJ 72G@C:E6D] %92E >62?D 5@>:?2E:?8 7C@> E96 @A6?:?8 <:4<@77 2?5 ?@E =6EE:?8 FA 282:?DE E96 ur$ AC@8C2>] ':C8:?:2 %649 92D ?@E H@? 3J 2E =62DE d_ A@:?ED D:?46 E96 a_`f D62D@? Wdh\f @G6C }@CE9 r2C@=:?2X]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mv2:? 6IA6C:6?46ik^DEC@?8m %96C6 2C6 D6G6C2= A@D:E:@?D @? E96 C@DE6C E92E 762EFC6 A=2J6CD H9@ 5@?’E 92G6 6IA6C:6?46 2E E96 4@==686 =6G6=] %96 D62D@? @A6?6C 762EFC6D E96 AC:>6 @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 86E E9@D6 A=2J6CD @? E96 7:6=5[ 6DA64:2==J :7 E96 w@<:6D 7=6I E96:C >FD4=6D :? E96 7:CDE 92=7] %96 82>6 D?2AD 2C6 6DA64:2==J 36?67:4:2= 7@C E96 324<FA BF2CE6C324<D] qCJ46 q2<6C[ z6=56? #J2? 2?5 %C@J wF9? 92G6 J6E E@ E2<6 2 D?2A :? 2 4@==686 82>6[ D@ E9:D 82>6 AC@G:56D E96 492?46 E@ 86E =:G6 24E:@?]k^Am People are also reading… Body of teen recovered from a Virginia reservoir Saltville readies for 55th Labor Day celebration No mercy: Smyth prosecutor, victim's nephew fight murderer's parole Chilhowie to consider joining Virginia Main Street program Energy company awards grant to Marion Fire-EMS, expresses support for firefighters Chilhowie business helps law enforcement with metal theft case VMI football team excited to play Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium Marion council to take up proposed loitering ordinance again Sacred ground: In his search, Barnette teaches others to care for cemeteries, grave markers Project leader: New Marion recreation area could benefit entire region Da'Shawn Martin's TD was a 'great moment' and now he's ready to help UVa develop its passing game Woman who carried gun into Va. high school 'honest from the beginning,' magistrate says Written in ink: Artist tattoos 100 clients in single day Saltville council begins process to fill open seat US House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown kAmkDEC@?8m$E2J 962=E9Jik^DEC@?8m pG@:5:?8 E96 :?;FCJ 3F8 :D G:E2= D:?46 E96 w@<:6D A=2J 6:89E DEC2:89E 82>6D 367@C6 E96J E2<6 E96:C @A6? H66< @? w2==@H66? H66<6?5] %92E DEC6E49 :?4=F56D C@25 82>6D 282:?DE |2CJ=2?5[ q@DE@? r@==686[ r2=:7@C?:2 2?5 r=6>D@?] |2<:?8 DFC6 E96 <6J A=2J6CD 2C6 2D 962=E9J 2D A@DD:3=6 27E6C (66< ` H:== 8@ 2 =@?8 H2J E@H2C5 ':C8:?:2 %649’D DF446DD E9:D D62D@?] !=FD[ E9:D :D 2 82>6 E92E E96 A=2J6CD 5@H? E96 56AE9 492CE 42? 86E A=2J:?8 E:>6 :7 E96 D4@C6 :D =@AD:565]k^Am k9am'|xk^9amkAmkDEC@?8mtDE23=:D9 E96 =:?6ik^DEC@?8m %96 <6J E@ 2?J @AE:@? @776?D6 :D 6DE23=:D9:?8 E96 =:?6 @7 D4C:>>286] '|x H2D?’E 23=6 E@ 4@?D:DE6?E=J 5@ E92E 2E x529@ $E2E6] %H6=G6 @7 E96 z6J56ED’ `e 5C:G6D E@@< =6DD E92? E9C66 >:?FE6D @77 E96 4=@4<] %92E :?4=F56D E96 EH@\A=2J[ fg\J2C5 E@F495@H? 5C:G6 >:5H2J E9C@F89 E96 7@FCE9 BF2CE6C] t=6G6? @7 E9@D6 `a 5C:G6D H6C6 7@FC A=2JD @C =6DD] p?J 492?46 '|x 92D 2E 2? FAD6E H:== 36 5:4E2E65 3J =@?8[ >6E9@5:42= 5C:G6D E@ <66A ':C8:?:2 %649’D @776?D6 @77 E96 7:6=5]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mv6E :?E@ 324<7:6=5ik^DEC@?8m '|x H2D?’E 23=6 E@ 4@?D:DE6?E=J 86E :?E@ E96 324<7:6=5 2E x529@ $E2E6] %92E >2J 36 2 E2==6C E2D< 282:?DE ':C8:?:2 %649’D >2DD:G6 @776?D:G6 =:?6] %9@F89[ E96 @?6 ?@E:4623=6 DECF88=6 7@C E96 w@<:6D =2DE D62D@? H2D A2DD AC@E64E:@?] %96 23:=:EJ E@ 3=:EK 2?5 AFE AC6DDFC6 @? tE92? vCF?<6>6J6C H@F=5 36 :562= 7@C E96 z6J56ED E@ AFE E96 w@<:6D :?E@ @3G:@FD A2DD:?8 D:EF2E:@?D] '|x 925 EH@ :?E6C46AE:@?D =2DE H66< 2E x529@ $E2E6]k^Am Damien Sordelett (540) 981-3124damien.sordelett@roanoke.com 0 Comments Locations Virginia Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Hokies' Franklin on safety depth Virginia Tech coach James Franklin breaks down the Hokies' depth at safety and why the addition of DQ Smith helps this season. Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Hokies' Franklin on facing VMI Hokies' Franklin on safety depth Hokies' Franklin on safety depth Hokies' Franklin on defensive tackle depth Hokies' Franklin on defensive tackle depth Hokies' Moore on offensive line development Hokies' Moore on offensive line development
Hokies' Franklin on safety depth Virginia Tech coach James Franklin breaks down the Hokies' depth at safety and why the addition of DQ Smith helps this season.
