Virginia Tech’s hopes of securing bowl eligibility were dashed Saturday night with a frustrating 31-28 loss to Duke in Durham. The Hokies, now 5-6, must win against Virginia next Saturday in Blacksburg to extend their season. The Cavaliers, also 5-6 after falling to SMU at home, are in the same boat, making the rivalry showdown a “winner-takes-bowl” contest—a scenario few foresaw at the start of the season.
Here’s how the Hokies graded out in their third straight November loss:
Virginia Tech Report Card
Fans
A+
Hokies fans turned out in strong numbers, outshining Duke supporters in Durham. Next week’s Senior Day at Lane Stadium promises another enthusiastic showing, and the fans certainly deserve better than the on-field results.
Coaching
F
Despite two weeks to prepare, the coaching staff once again failed to have the team ready. Slow starts on offense and defense, questionable play-calling, and an inability to adjust to Duke’s explosive plays contributed to the loss.
Special Teams
A
Peter Moore delivered solid punts, and John Love was perfect on field goals. A potential game-changing kickoff return was negated by a penalty, but overall, the unit was a bright spot.
Quarterbacks
B
Collin Schlee’s injury at the end of the first quarter thrust freshman Pop Watson into the spotlight. Watson made several clutch throws on third downs and showed poise but also had his share of freshman mistakes. A commendable performance given the circumstances.
Running Backs
B
Bhayshul Tuten returned to form with 84 yards on 19 carries and a fourth-quarter touchdown, showcasing his pre-injury explosiveness. Jeremiah Coney added 22 yards on five carries, leaving fans hoping for more reps next week.
Wide Receivers
B+
Ali Jennings flashed the talent Hokies fans expected, racking up 158 yards on six catches, including a 65-yard touchdown. Ayden Greene contributed with a touchdown on an end-around.
Tight Ends
C+
Benji Gosnell and Harrison Saint Germain combined for just two catches. While they contributed to blocking efforts, their limited involvement in the passing game left room for improvement.
Offensive Line
F
A disastrous performance. Duke recorded eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss, making it nearly impossible for the offense to find rhythm. This unit remains the Hokies’ Achilles’ heel.
Defensive Line
B-
The defensive line pressured Duke’s Maalik Murphy into mistakes, including quick throws that led to interceptions and a forced fumble late in the game. They kept the Hokies competitive despite the loss.
Linebackers
B-
Keonta Jenkins (seven tackles) and Caleb Woodson (six tackles) led a solid linebacker unit. Keli Lawson and Sam Brumfield made impactful plays at the line of scrimmage.
Secondary
C
Explosive plays, busted coverages, and missed tackles plagued the secondary. While Dorian Strong snagged two interceptions, the big plays they allowed ultimately sealed Virginia Tech’s fate.
Looking Ahead
It all comes down to next Saturday’s showdown with Virginia at Lane Stadium. Both teams are 5-6, and the winner will secure bowl eligibility while the loser’s season ends. A far cry from preseason expectations, this matchup carries high stakes for both programs.
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