During Virginia Tech's 30-23 loss to Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium, the Hokies suffered a key injury to running back Terion Stewart. He was forced to leave the game with a shoulder injury, which was a big blow to the offense.
Injuries have hampered Stewart's time in Blacksburg this season. He missed some games at the beginning of the year, but once he got into the lineup, he gave a glimpse to Hokies' fans of the type of back he can be. He also showed his ability to bounce off would-be tacklers and pick up extra yards.
However, his absence from the lineup is rather big for several reasons, and if the Hokies are going to upset 13th-ranked Georgia Tech on the road this upcoming weekend, they'll need all hands on deck. On Tuesday, interim coach Philip Montgomery gave an injury update on the Bowling Green transfer.
Philip Montgomery gives injury update on RB Terion Stewart
Montgomery said that Stewart responded well on Sunday and Monday after the injury, but they'll have to see how he does as the week goes along, heading to Atlanta. If he can't play, that would be a huge loss for Virginia Tech.
Montgomery said the #Hokies will see how RB Terion Stewart is doing as the week goes on. Responded well Sunday and Monday after injuring his shoulder last week, but there's a ways to go.
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) October 7, 2025
Stewart ran for 138 yards and a touchdown in Bowling Green's upset of Georgia Tech in 2023.
When Stewart is in the lineup and getting handoffs from quarterback Kyron Drones, the Hokies' offense is different. He has 35 carries this year for 301 yards, including a big 85-yard run against North Carolina State that set up a Cameron Seldon touchdown. He is averaging 8.6 yards a carry. Before his injury against the Demon Deacons, he had 62 yards on nine carries.
Marcellous Hawkins has run the ball well this year for the Hokies when Stewart hasn't been in the lineup or needed a break. A a double-digit underdog heading to play the Yellow Jackets, Virginia Tech will need all hands on deck to pull another road upset, and that includes a healthy-enough Stewart.