With double-digit starters out due to opt outs, injuries, or the transfer portal; it was always going to be a challenge for Virginia Tech to pull off the upset against Minnesota. While they came out with good competitive fight, an offensive line that was quite poor combined with defensive inconsistency and a lack of offensive rhythm doomed the Hokies on a bitter cold night befitting of a disappointing, bitter season for Tech fans.
Virginia Tech lost to Minnesota 24-10 in the Duke's Mayo Bowl to finish the season 6-7 while the Golden Gophers 8-5. This means that Virginia Tech still hasn't beaten a non-conference Power 4 opponent since beat West Virginia in the 2017 season opener at what is now Northwest Stadium at Landover, MD.
This was a one-sided game where the Hokies found a way to hang around thanks to some chunk plays from Ayden Greene along with a big reverse from Keylen Adams, though that led to nothing. Despite that, the Hokies were outgained 403-223 with the Golden Gophers averaging 6.0 yards per play while the Hokies averaged 4.6 yards per play.
Tech's offensive line was a mess in this game with Tech struggling to generate a consistent rushing attack, averaging 2.5 yards per carry, while allowing five sacks over the course of this game. Those five sacks doesn't include the various scrambles that Collin Schlee and Pop Watson had to make throughout the night, facing tons of pressure in this game.
Meanwhile, Tech's inexperienced secondary had their growing pains without their whole starting DB group as Max Brosmer was 18-29 for 211 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while Minnesota had two other completions for 25 yards and a touchdown. There were some solid moments including a Dante Lovett interception, but this was an inexperienced group that showed part of why VT has been busy at DB in the portal to build around Lovett, Quentin Reddish, and Joshua Clarke.
Tech went with a two-QB rotation during this game with neither QB having a particularly great night. Pop Watson did prove to be the primary QB as he was 8-12 for 81 yards and an interception while Schlee was 2-6 for 68 yards in this game.
Ayden Greene was a bright spot for the Hokies tonight, showing the potential to be a really good WR1 for VT next season with a career-high six catches for 115 yards plus three rushing yards.
Meanwhile, Keylen Adams was the Hokies' leading rusher thanks to a 47-yard run on a reverse while having his first career catch for 14 yards. Tyler Mason was the best running back for VT in this game with seven carries for 33 yards, showing some great burst in the process. Jeremiah Coney had only 10 rushing yards while Benji Gosnell had an 11-yard reception and Stephen Gosnell had a nine-yard reception.
Kaleb Spencer was all over the field amidst what was an up and down night with some great plays along with some bad angles on his way to having a team-high eight tackles including one for loss. Wilfired Pene had a solid final game in college with five tackles including a sack plus a QB hurry while Keyshawn Burgos added five tackles. Thomas Williams and Dante Lovett each had six tackles with Williams having 0.5 tackles for loss and Lovett having an interception.
John Love hit a 60-yard field goal right before the end of the first half to give the Hokies some momentum and break the Duke's Mayo Bowl record previously set by former VT kicker Brian Johnson, who made a 54-yard field goal against Kentucky in 2019.
At the end of the day, this was a game where what Tech had showed great fight and found ways to keep this game closer than it probably should have been. But an offensive line disaster largely doomed Tech from the start of this game while the defense was a little too inconsistent in all facets due to a mix of inexperience and a lack of quality depth. Add in some understandably up and down QB play given the consistent duress both Watson and Schlee were under, and it was a recipe for defeat in the Mayo Bowl.
While Minnesota got to celebrate with Flavor Flav, the Hokies are just hoping to find their flavor in all facets that can help turn things around after a disappointing season came to a disappointing end.
