For the 19th time in the past 20 matchups, Virginia Tech’s football team asserted dominance over their rivals. This season’s 37-17 triumph in a packed Lane Stadium not only secured the Hokies’ bowl eligibility but also salvaged their season from disappointment.
Despite relying on their third-string quarterback, who performed like a seasoned pro, the victory was crucial. It also ended the Cavaliers’ season at 5-7, hindering their rebuilding efforts. While Virginia Tech’s bowl destination will be revealed in a week, here are two truths and a lie from their convincing 20-point win against their in-state foes.
Truth: Pop Watson is the real deal
It might seem like an overreaction, but after stepping in for Collin Schlee at Duke last week, freshman Pop Watson appeared composed and confident in his first college start. The Massachusetts native completed 14 of 21 passes for 254 yards, including a beautiful 66-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Lane in the second quarter.
Watson plays with undeniable swagger and confidence, showing exactly why he earned the title of Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year. He demonstrated poise while running the ball, worked through his reads effectively, and made only one minor mistake—taking a fourth-quarter sack instead of throwing it away. The next month will be a critical period for his development.
Truth: Tyler Bowen called a very good game
Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen has faced his fair share of criticism over the past couple of years, and much of it has been warranted. However, when it mattered most, he delivered a strong game plan. Credit is due for his ability to adapt and succeed with a third-string quarterback.
Bowen put his young quarterback in a great position throughout the game, designing simple throws and reads while keeping the Virginia defense on its toes with a variety of play calls. While the players still had to execute, Bowen did a great job setting them up for success, which has not always been the case this season.
Lie: Chris Marve made necessary adjustments
One of the ongoing storylines for the Hokies this season was the coaching staff’s struggle to make adjustments, a concern Brent Pry addressed multiple times but never seemed to fully resolve. After a solid first half from the Virginia Tech defense, defensive coordinator Chris Marve faced a challenging second half.
Virginia put together their two strongest drives late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, cutting the lead to 30-17. For some reason, Marve was unable to adjust to Virginia’s adjustments, keeping the Cavaliers in the game longer than necessary. Hopefully, we’ll see better adjustments in the bowl game.
Virginia Tech finishes the regular season at 6-6, securing a bowl game and valuable practice time for player development. The next question is who will opt out of the bowl game and who will suit up—only time will tell.
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