College Football

Virginia Tech football: A look at California by the numbers

October 8, 2026

Virginia Tech’s Hokies (4-1, 1-1 ACC) face a challenging road trip to California this weekend, seeking to rebound from a narrow 35-33 loss to Pittsburgh—a game marred by turnovers and controversial calls. The Golden Bears (2-3, 1-1 ACC), meanwhile, are still adjusting to their new ACC footprint, having met Virginia Tech just twice before, with the Hokies winning the most recent matchup in a thrilling 42-34 double-overtime victory last season.

That game showcased Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones’ standout performance, where he threw for 119 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards and two more, a rare dual-threat outing in a win that extended the Hokies’ lead in their rivalry with Cal. The Bears, however, have history on their side: their first meeting in the 2003 Insight Bowl saw Aaron Rodgers lead them to a 52-49 victory over Virginia Tech, a memorable clash that set the tone for their occasional battles over the years.

California’s offense is built around junior running back Adam Mohammed, who leads the team with 336 rushing yards on a 4.6-yard average per carry, including three rushing touchdowns and one receiving score. His ability to disrupt defenses—ranked sixth in FBS with 32 forced missed tackles—makes him a constant threat, though his availability for Saturday’s game remains uncertain after missing last week’s loss to UNLV.

The Bears’ secondary, already shorthanded, could take another hit if safety Kingston Lopa—who leads the nation with five interceptions—is unable to play due to concussion protocol. With Cal’s run defense ranked 121st nationally, Virginia Tech’s ground game, led by Jeff Overton and Marcellous Hawkins, may finally find an opportunity to break out against a struggling front seven.

Meanwhile, the Hokies’ quarterback play will be under scrutiny, as their recent struggles have hinged on limiting turnovers, while Cal’s offense, already without starting quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (also in concussion protocol), will need to find answers beyond their usual starters.