Virginia Tech to Face Stanford's Passing Attack
Hokies host Stanford after allowing 350 passing yards to SMU in a 51-28 loss last Friday night.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Football
Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-3 ACC) faces Stanford (4-5, 2-4 ACC) in Blacksburg on Sunday, with the Cardinal's Davis Warren leading a passing attack ranked 38th nationally at 249.9 yards per game. The Hokies' pass defense allowed 350 yards to SMU's Kevin Jennings in a 51-28 defeat.
Why it matters
Warren has topped 250 passing yards five times this season and thrown eight touchdowns with one interception over his last three games, testing a Virginia Tech secondary the staff is working to tighten. Stanford's 127th-ranked rushing offense makes the passing game central to its ACC hopes.
Stanford's Davis Warren completed 63.7% of his passes (72 of 113) across three games of at least 270 yards, while Caden High and Nico Brown combined for eight of his 14 touchdown passes. Stanford's offense ranks 38th nationally in passing but 127th in rushing at 108.8 yards per game.
The players
Davis Warren
Stanford's starting quarterback, who has topped 250 passing yards five times this season and thrown eight touchdowns with one interception in his last three games.
Kevin Jennings
SMU quarterback who threw for 350 passing yards in the Mustangs' 51-28 win over Virginia Tech.
The details
Virginia Tech staff met Saturday morning, focusing on improving pass defense after the SMU loss. Stanford's Warren has passed for 279 yards against Elon, 303 against N.C. State and 270 against Louisville this season.
Timeline
Friday night: Virginia Tech lost 51-28 to SMU.
Saturday morning: Virginia Tech staff meeting focused on pass defense.
Sunday: Stanford visits Blacksburg.
Season Trajectory
The Hokies' 3-3 ACC mark and their 350-yard concession to SMU leave little room for error in conference play. Stanford's 2-4 ACC record places its passing game at the center of its bid to climb the standings.
The Hokies' pass defense must limit Warren's completions to keep Stanford's offense from reaching its season averages. Fantasy managers tracking Stanford's receivers should note that High and Brown have accounted for most of Warren's touchdown passes.
The takeaway
Watch whether Virginia Tech's secondary can slow Warren, since his recent touchdown production has been driven largely by two receivers.
What happens next
Virginia Tech hosts Stanford on Sunday in Blacksburg.
Further reading
For more on the Hokies' schedule and roster, see the Blacksburg Football section.
