Virginia Tech football: Cal defeats Hokies 25-20

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 2: Ethan Grunkemeyer #17 and Aidan Lynch #76 of the Virginia Tech Hokies jog off the field during a game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Pittsburg Panthers at Lane Stadium on October 2, 2026 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images

The California Golden Bears were without starting quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and starting safety Kingston Lopa for Saturday's game against the Virginia Tech Hokies. No problem for Cal, as backup quarterback Jackson Brousseau completed 29 of 43 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown to lead the Golden Bears past the Hokies 25-20.

The Hokies got off to a slow start, facing multiple third-and-long situations in the first quarter. On another third-and-long-third-and-16, to be exact-quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer found wide receiver Ayden Greene for 32 yards. Two plays later, Grunkemeyer found Greene for an impressive 30-yard touchdown to Greene giving the Hokies an early 7-0 lead.

A big connection from @e_grunkemeyer to @ayden_greene11 #LetsGoHokies | @accnetworkhttps://t.co/Dgn0WrmkbZpic.twitter.com/mLCZ5FZKoQ

- Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) October 10, 2026

Virginia Tech drove again, up 7-0, but a questionable third-and-short call fell short, forcing the Hokies to punt. Cal wasted no time in making the Hokies pay, going 85 yards on five plays in just 2:13 to put the Golden Bears on the board. A key play came on first-and-10 from the Virginia Tech 20-yard line, as Hokies defensive end Aycen Stevens made an impressive tackle on Cal running back Ashten Emory, dropping him for a 5-yard loss. However, officials called Stevens for a taunting penalty, giving the Golden Bears a first down at the 12-yard line. Cal made them pay, scoring a touchdown two plays later to tie it up.

The Hokies' offense looked out of sync again on the next drive, but two California face-mask penalties kept it alive, and running back Marcellous Hawkins capped a 7-play, 75-yard drive with a short touchdown to put the Hokies back on top.

VT had the ball with 1:06 remaining and all three timeouts before halftime, but did nothing, leaving the Bears plenty of time to steal a field goal just before halftime.

The two teams continued to exchange possessions in the third quarter, and when the Hokies made a stop on third down, Cal lined up for the punt. However, the Golden Bears faked it and ran for 29 yards into VT territory. Fortunately for the Hokies, a goal-line stand held the Bears to a field goal, which trimmed Tech's lead to 14-13.

The Hokies went back on offense, and Cal appeared to get off the field, but a third-down targeting call gave VT a first down. But the offense stalled again, leading to a 39-yard field goal attempt that, unbelievably, senior kicker John Love missed-his third straight miss dating back to last week and his second miss of this game.

The Bears again made them pay. Facing a third-and-goal from the 3-yard line, the Hokies send an all-out blitz, but Brousseau gets the pass off, and somehow Carson Perry-Smith makes the catch to give Cal its first lead of the game at 19-14. The two-point conversion was no good.

Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer responded, leading the Hokies' best drive of the day, going nine plays and 73 yards in 2:45 to retake the lead, 20-19. Tech's 2-point attempt falls short. California would have around 1:15 remaining and two timeouts to kick a field goal.

On a second-and-10 from its 37-yard line, Brousseau's pass falls incomplete. However, a flag was thrown on the play after Virginia Tech linebacker Kaleb Spencer was called for roughing the passer. That would give the Golden Bears a first down across midfield with under one minute remaining. On the very next play, VT cornerback Cam Chadwick was called for pass interference, pushing the ball to the Hokies' 33-yard line. More undisciplined play followed, as Virginia Tech jumped offsides on the next play, so Cal had a free play and it took advantage, completing a 31-yard pass to the two 2-yard line. The Bears would score on the next play, and another failed 2-point play followed.

Remarkably, the Hokies still had a chance after a questionable kickoff. Cal was called for pass interference on the first play, then Grunkemeyer connected on two big completions to Marlion Jackson for 38 yards combined. Suddenly, the Hokies had a first-and-goal from the 7-yard line with three seconds remaining. Unfortunately, Grunkemeyer's pass to Luke Reynolds fell incomplete. There was contact, and Virginia Tech's bench wanted a flag, but it didn't happen.

Cal wins a stunner.

Virginia Tech loses its second straight game, falling to 4-2 on the season and 1-2 in the ACC. A brutal loss for Tech. Grunkemeyer finished the day with 21 of 31 completions, 288 yards, and a touchdown. Tech struggled to get its running game going again, but Jeff Overton did lead the Hokies with 12 carries for 73 yards.

Next up for Virginia Tech is a home date against Georgia Tech next Saturday in Blacksburg.