BLACKSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — Virginia Tech defeated Old Dominion 44-21 on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in a NCAA Football Bowl Division game at Lane Stadium. The Hokies improved to 2-0, while the Monarchs moved to 1-1. Virginia Tech controlled the matchup from the opening quarter and never trailed. Old Dominion stayed competitive behind quarterback Quinn Henicle, but the Monarchs could not match the Hokies’ balance on offense and consistency on defense. Virginia Tech’s home crowd at Lane Stadium saw the Hokies score in every quarter and pull away in the second half. The Hokies’ offense found success on the ground and through the air, and the defense made stops in crucial situations.

Virginia Tech scored 17 points in the first quarter, three in the second, seven in the third and 17 in the fourth. Old Dominion scored three in the first, seven in the second, eight in the third and three in the fourth. The quarter-by-quarter scoring reflected Virginia Tech’s ability to answer whenever Old Dominion found momentum. The Hokies finished with 44 points, while the Monarchs finished with 21. Virginia Tech’s defense forced Old Dominion to work for its points and limited the Monarchs’ most explosive threats for much of the afternoon. The Monarchs’ scoring came in spurts, but they could not string together enough stops to slow Virginia Tech.

John Love opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal for Virginia Tech. Marcellous Hawkins Jr. then rushed right for a 20-yard touchdown, and Love’s extra point gave the Hokies a larger advantage. Old Dominion’s Quinn Henicle was sacked for a 6-yard loss to the Monarchs 14. Nathanial Eichner put Old Dominion on the board with a 34-yard field goal just before the end of the opening quarter. The Monarchs’ early points kept the game within reach, but Virginia Tech’s defense continued to make plays in the backfield and on the perimeter.

Ethan Grunkemeyer guided the Virginia Tech offense from quarterback. He connected with Luke Reynolds on a 10-yard touchdown pass and later found Reynolds again for a 16-yard score. Love added a 22-yard field goal. Grunkemeyer, a quarterback from Lewis Center, Ohio, managed the offense and distributed the ball to multiple targets. Reynolds, a tight end from Westford, Massachusetts, became a reliable red-zone option. Virginia Tech also leaned on tight ends Benji Gosnell, Harrison Saint Germain and Ja’Ricous Hairston, along with receivers Marlion Jackson, Davion Brown, Que’Sean Brown, Ayden Greene and Tyseer Denmark.

Old Dominion’s Quinn Henicle, a quarterback from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, tried to keep the Monarchs in the game. He completed a short pass to Leon Haughton Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown. Henicle also broke free for a 76-yard touchdown run. Haughton, a wide receiver from Richmond, Virginia, gave Old Dominion a physical presence on the outside. The Monarchs’ offense showed flashes, but Virginia Tech’s defense stiffened in key moments. Old Dominion’s Koa Naotala, Greg Johnson, Ja’Mez Drummer, Lucas Struck, Daevon Iles, Brandon Crutchfield and Jackson Forrest contributed on defense.

Virginia Tech’s defensive effort included contributions from Quentin Reddish, Noah Chambers, Cortez Harris, Mylachi Williams, Kaleb Spencer, Tyson Flowers and Keon Wylie. Reddish, a safety from Charlotte, North Carolina, helped patrol the secondary. Chambers, a linebacker from Prince George County, Maryland, and Wylie, a linebacker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were active in the front seven. Williams, a defensive end from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Spencer, a defensive back from Gloucester, Virginia, helped contain Old Dominion’s perimeter. Flowers, a safety from Fort Worth, Texas, and Harris added depth to a unit that made timely plays. Virginia Tech also received contributions from Eric Mensah, Sherrod Covil, Christian Evans, Matt Henderson, Javion Hilson, Kemari Copeland, DQ Smith, Jason Abbey, Antwone Santiago, Bryce Baker, Kenny Woseley Jr., Elhadj Fall, Samuel Okunlola, Isaiah Brown-Murray, Curtis Jones Jr., Brett Clatterbaugh, Aycen Stevens, Jaquez White and Zaevion Cleveland.

Love added a 25-yard field goal for Virginia Tech. Grunkemeyer rushed middle for a 1-yard touchdown, and Love’s extra point followed. Old Dominion continued to fight, and Henicle’s long touchdown run highlighted the Monarchs’ determination. Virginia Tech’s special teams also received work from Nathan Totten and Love. The Hokies’ running backs Tyler Mason, Messiah Mickens and Marcellous Hawkins Jr. helped control the clock. Old Dominion’s defense was led by Naotala, Johnson, Drummer, Struck, Iles, Crutchfield and Forrest, who all saw significant action.

Virginia Tech improved to 2-0 after opening the season with a 73-3 win over Virginia Military Institute on Sept. 5. Old Dominion fell to 1-1 after beating Norfolk State 31-10 on Sept. 5. The Monarchs’ next game is against East Carolina at home on Sept. 19, followed by a home matchup with James Madison on Sept. 26. Virginia Tech travels to Maryland on Sept. 19 and then visits Boston College on Sept. 26. Old Dominion will then visit Georgia State on Oct. 3 and Appalachian State on Oct. 10. The Monarchs host Georgia Southern on Thursday, Oct. 15, and travel to Louisiana Tech on Oct. 24. Marshall visits Old Dominion on Oct. 31, and the Monarchs play at Coastal Carolina on Nov. 7. They visit Connecticut on Nov. 21 and host Southern Mississippi on Nov. 28.

Virginia Tech’s upcoming slate includes a home game against Pittsburgh on Friday, Oct. 2, a trip to California on Oct. 10, a home game against Georgia Tech on Oct. 17 and a visit to Clemson on Oct. 24. The Hokies also play at SMU on Friday, Nov. 6, host Stanford on Nov. 14, visit Miami on Nov. 21 and host Virginia on Nov. 28. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Old Dominion 43, Virginia Tech 30. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Old Dominion with a 66 percent probability to win. Virginia Tech’s victory ran counter to those projections, as the Hokies controlled the game from the opening quarter and protected their home field. Old Dominion will look to regroup before returning home, while Virginia Tech will aim to build on its 2-0 start. The Hokies’ defense and special teams provided the foundation, and the offense did enough to keep separation. Virginia Tech’s next test comes on the road at Maryland.