Virginia Tech Checks All the Boxes in 55-17 Victory Over Virginia
Virginia Tech Checks All the Boxes in 55-17 Victory Over Virginia
Virginia Tech's masterful win over Virginia was the final feather needed in Brent Pry's Year Two cap.
Quarterback of the future? Check. Six wins and a bowl berth? Check. Blowout road win over little brother to secure that bowl berth? Check.
Virginia Tech eviscerated Virginia on Saturday, sending Tony Elliott and his plucky Cavaliers into the shadow realm, not to be heard from for at least a while. Tech’s win checked all the boxes for Brent Pry’s second season as head coach, making it that much sweeter.
The win was pretty rich on its own. Virginia Tech scored 55 points, the first time they’ve crossed the half-century threshold since 2018. Tech amassed 500 yards of offense, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and with a 31-0 lead in the third quarter, evaporated the ‘Hoos hopes well before the final whistle.
After an up-and-down season, the Hokies’ defense harassed Anthony Colandrea and Virginia’s offense from first snap and didn’t let up until the game was well out of reach. Colandrea was sacked five times and the Hokies totaled 10 tackles for loss. Virginia finished the night with just 43 rushing yards on 29 attempts and averaged just 3.8 yards per play on offense.
Adding to this delectable treat was the crowd, and the fact that Virginia Tech fans had taken over large parts of Virginia’s Lawn (student section) and other parts of the stadium. Many other sections were sparsely populated, which would be embarrassing to any self-respecting program.
But Brent Pry, his coaches and his players reminded us on Saturday that Virginia isn’t a self-respecting program. The program, its leadership and fanbase aren’t actually concerned with winning, but instead ensuring that their sport coats aren’t stained from tailgating.
Combine that with the Hokies checking off their list of boxes, and the victory is as sweet as you can imagine.
Regardless of the bowl outcome next month, Virginia Tech’s 2023 season is a success. The quarterback of the future, Kyron Drones, threw three touchdowns on Saturday and has cemented himself as QB1. Pry led his team to a three-win improvement from Year One to Year Two, including five conference wins by 17 or more points. Pry reached the all-important six-win threshold, earning bowl eligibility and giving his young players 15 extra practices to improve before the end of the year.
And last, but certainly not least, he embarrassed Virginia on their home turf. What more could you ask for in Year Two?
Pry’s rebuild of Virginia Tech football isn’t complete, but he made important steps towards the end goal. It’s important to acknowledge those gains, even if the job isn’t yet finished.
So enjoy this one, Hokies. Lots of progress has been made and the program is trending upward. The 2023 season is officially a success.