Virginia Tech has filled out its nonconference schedule with a pair of home games that bring different kinds of tests to Blacksburg.
The Hokies will face Central Florida on Dec. 12 in a neutral-site matchup at the Northwest Florida State campus in Davie, Florida, about three hours from UCF’s campus in Orlando. It will be the first meeting between the teams.
UCF went 21-12 overall and 8-10 in the Big 12 last season, then lost to UC San Diego in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Virginia Tech’s contract with UCF calls for Tech to pay $63,000 for this season’s game and $53,000 for the following season’s game.
Tech will also host Mercer on Nov. 3.
That will be the Hokies’ first meeting with Mercer since 1972. Mercer finished 17-17 overall and 11-5 in the Southern Conference last season, and the Bears are coached by Ryan Ridder.
The Hokies are coached by Mike Young, who is entering his seventh season at Virginia Tech. They went 13-19 overall and 8-12 in the ACC last season and missed the NCAA Tournament.
Virginia Tech has moved up its 2025 game in Charlotte from Sept. 16 to Aug. 26, 2025.
That means the Hokies will play a “Week Zero” game both this year and next year. Tech will host North Carolina State in a Week Zero game next month.
Arkansas State also joins Virginia Tech’s 2025 nonconference schedule. That game will be played in Charlotte. Arkansas State joins William & Mary on Mary’s 2025 nonconference schedule.
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Virginia is part of that same early stretch, and it brings a different kind of pressure. The Cavaliers will host Kentucky in what will be the Wildcats first true road game of the season and a piece of the SEC/ACC Challenge, so the setting alone raises the stakes. Add in Louisville coming to Rupp Arena after Kentucky dropped last seasons meeting at the KFC Yum Center, and the first month has a little bit of everything: a marquee opponent, a rivalry game, and a road test that should tell plenty about how ready this team is. [Read more 🡒]