Good Morning, Hokies. Once A Hokie, Always A Hokie.

What else are we covering into today’s edition, Hokies?

🤼 Flex On ‘Em
🏈 He’s Backkk
👟 Finishing Strong
🦃 And much, much more!

🦃 STOCK UP

🔼 Flex On ‘Em. Returning close to his home state of New Jersey, Virginia Tech wrestling standout Jimmy Mullen thrilled the crowd at the Keystone Classic with a perfect 4-0 weekend en route to the individual championship at the 285 weight class.

Mullen was one of two Hokies to reach the finals at the event with Ryan Burton (165) grabbing a runner-up finish to highlight the weekend.

True freshman Collin Gaj had a strong showing at 149, earning a third place finish with a 3-1 record at the event.

🔼 He’s Bacckkk. For the first time since the middle of October, former Virginia Tech standout Divine Deablo laced them up for the Atlanta Falcons and immediately made an impact on Sunday.

Deablo returned from injury and racked up eight tackles to lead a defensive effort that limited the Saints to just 10 points in Atlanta’s 24-10 road victory. It was Deablo’s most tackles in a game since the 2023 season.

🔼 Finishing Strong. A career best from George Couttie led the Virginia Tech men’s cross country squad to a 14th-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships this past weekend.

It is the best finish for the Hokies since 1987, when Virginia Tech finished fourth.

Couttie paced the Hokies with a career-best 28:47.4, placing 10th and remaining in the top 20 throughout the race. The performance secured his second consecutive All-America finish after he placed 14th last year in 29:07.4.

👟 The Full Recap

🔼 Making Waves. The Hokies took on the Wolfpack Elite Invitational, finding success on both sides. 

Eli Martin logged an impressive 200 breast (1:52.53), taking first in the meet and ranking himself at No. 13 in the country and fourth in the program record book.

Brendan Whitfield had another standout meet, logging a second-place finish in the 50 free (18.94) tying for the ninth-best time in the nation, and a fifth-place finish in the 200 free. His 1:33.27 ranks him 13th nationally in the event. In the 1650 free, Lee Naber (15:11.06), Bengisu Caymaz (16:22.78) and Kate Anderson (16:30.27) jumped into the national rankings, landing at 20th, 14th and 22nd, respectively. 

🏊 The Full Recap

🏈 THE FUTURE STARTS NOW

A new era is here in Blacksburg!

We're capturing every step as Coach Franklin takes the helm. Experience every moment from his arrival and first press conference to fan reactions and behind-the-scenes coverage of the first days as head coach.

This live blog will keep you updated on all the buzz, reactions, and stories as Hokie Nation unites behind its new leader—a nationally recognized, proven program builder who understands what it takes to sustain championship-caliber success.

The future starts now, Hokie Nation. Coach Franklin is ushering in a new era of Virginia Tech Football, and all of Hokie Nation needs to rally behind him to build a championship contender in Blacksburg.

Every Tech fan can be a part of this historic moment for Virginia Tech Football, while supplying Coach Franklin with the resources he needs to succeed. Make a $50 gift or more to the Invest to Win Fund and receive a limited-edition personalized commemorative ticket to celebrate the start of this exciting new era (one ticket per transaction).

One personalized ticket in a protective frame along with a special collector's box will be mailed in 6-8 weeks. Your first and last name as you enter it will be printed on your ticket. Please use the comments field if you would like a different name printed on the ticket.

🤔 HOKIE TRIVIA

In his two-plus seasons with the Virginia Tech wrestling program, what is Jimmy Mullen’s record on the mats?

Think you got it?

Scroll to the bottom and find out!

📆 THE DAYS AHEAD

Wednesday, November 26
🏐 Volleyball vs. Notre Dame @ 3pm | Live Stats | Watch
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Colorado State @ 5pm | Live Stats | Watch
 (Battle 4 Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas)

Thursday, November 27
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Wichita State/St. Mary’s @ TBD | Live Stats 
 (Battle 4 Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas)
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. BYU @ 5:30pm | Live Stats | Watch
 (Paradise Jam - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands)

Friday, November 28
🏐 Volleyball at Syracuse @ 3pm | Watch
🏀 Men’s Basketball at Battle 4 Atlantis @ TBD (Paradise Island, Bahamas)

Saturday, November 29
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Vanderbilt/Oregon State @ 12/2:30pm | Live Stats | Watch
 (Paradise Jam - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands)
🏈 Football at #17 Virginia @ 7pm l Live Stats l Watch

🟠 Click here to see the full Virginia Tech Athletics Calendar

🤝 SPREAD THE WORD

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🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 46-12

🦃 Have a great one!