Soundbites: Week two press conference vs. ODU

Head Coach James Franklin

Opening statement:

"Looking back at the game, after watching the tape, I feel similarly to how I spoke after the game ... The area I wasn't pleased with was penalties ... I take a ton of pride in penalties. I think it shows a disciplined football team and I don't think we were that on Saturday. It creates a sloppy game and I don't like what sloppy represents. They were drive killers. It made things more difficult on offense and defense. The first thing you have to do when taking over a program, before you learn to win, you have to get rid of the things that get you beat."

On his relationship with ODU head coach Ricky Rahne:

“Obviously there's a ton of history between me and Ricky Rahne. Our families are close personally and professionally. I've got a ton of respect for him in what he's been able to do at Old Dominion. He is going to bring a team in here that's going to be confident. They've won at home and won on the road. We're going to be playing a confident organization and he's earned that. I've got a ton of respect for him. My job is to do everything I can to put Virginia Tech in the best position to be successful and I know he's doing the same thing. "

James Franklin press conference (9/7/26)

Cortez Harris press conference (9/7/26)

Offensive lineman Layth Ghannam

Layth Ghannam on assessing the offensive line's play after week one:

"I feel great, what did we rush for, 300 yards almost? We got to see a lot of the younger guys, obviously the starters allowed the young guys to come and play going up 50 points. The young guys, we had 80 offensive snaps and only two missed assignments (throughout the game) which is pretty impressive. We have great depth this year, and I'm excited to take that into next week."

Layth Ghannam press conference (9/7/26)