Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) first played football on October 21, 1892 against St. Albans Lutheran Boys School (Radford, Virginia).
The game took place on a plowed off wheat field that was "about as level as a side of Brush Mountain".
The Hokies won their first game 14–10, but were defeated 10–0 eight days later on a return trip to Radford.
The first several VAMC teams wore cadet gray and black, but in 1896 the colors were changed to Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon – a color combination that was unique among educational institutions at the time.

The 1899, 1901, and 1903 teams lost only to rival Virginia.
Star player Hunter Carpenter returned to Virginia Tech in 1905, after a year at the University of North Carolina, for a last shot at beating Virginia.
Carpenter helped lead VPI to a 9–1 record, the best in school's history up to that time.
He was never named to the All-America team only because Walter Camp, who named the team at the time, said he would never name a player who he had not seen play.

The 1909 team claim a southern championship.
This is the first season the team was referred to in print as the "Gobblers,” which became the official nickname in 1912.
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) first played football on October 21, 1892 against St. Albans Lutheran Boys School (Radford, Virginia). The game took place on a plowed off wheat field that was "about as level as a side of Brush Mountain". The Hokies won their first game 14–10, but were defeated 10–0 eight days later on a return trip to Radford. The first several VAMC teams wore cadet gray and black, but in 1896 the colors were changed to Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon – a color combination that was unique among educational institutions at the time.
The 1899, 1901, and 1903 teams lost only to rival Virginia. Star player Hunter Carpenter returned to Virginia Tech in 1905, after a year at the University of North Carolina, for a last shot at beating Virginia. Carpenter helped lead VPI to a 9–1 record, the best in school's history up to that time. He was never named to the All-America team only because Walter Camp, who named the team at the time, said he would never name a player who he had not seen play.
The 1909 team claim a southern championship. This is the first season the team was referred to in print as the "Gobblers,” which became the official nickname in 1912.
Virginia Tech Hokies football