Under legendary coach Frank Beamer, the Virginia Tech football team became a staple in the college football bowl season. When “Beamer Ball” was at its peak in Blacksburg, it wasn’t that the Hokies were hoping to be in a bowl, they were expected to be in a bowl.
Under Justin Fuente, the Hokies carried on that bowl tradition before he was fired in November of 2021, Last season under Brent Pry, the Hokies finished 3-8 after he took over the program that was left in a mess, but tasked with the job of turning it around and doing it rather quickly for a passionate fanbase. The former Penn State defensive coordinator has done that in 2023.
After starting the season 1-3 in their first four non-conference games, the Hokies went 5-3 in ACC play, winning all their games in dominating fashion to finish 6-6 and bowl-eligible. This is a major step in the rebuilding process for Pry, his staff, and his players as they look to make it a yearly tradition.
This season the Hokies bowl destination will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 3. There are many scenarios as to where they could end up, but before we find out the opponent, date, time, and location of their game, let’s take a look back at the bowl history for the Hokies.
Orange Bowl (1-3)
1996: Nebraska 41, Virginia Tech 21
Despite three touchdown passes from quarterback Jim Druckenmiller and 214 yards in the air, the Hokies fell to a star-studded Cornhuskers team that only outgained the Hokies in yards 415-408.
2008: Kansas 24, Virginia Tech 21
Sean Glennon threw for 160 yards as a Hokies rally against the Jayhawks came up short.
2009: Virginia Tech 20, Cincinnati 7
One year after losing to Kansas, the Hokies returned to the Orange Bowl, and behind 140 yards through the air from Tyrod Taylor and 153 yards on the ground from Darren Evans, Tech beat the Bearcats in South Florida.
Sugar Bowl (1-3)
1995: Virginia Tech 28, Texas 10
Druckenmiller threw for 266 yards as the Hokies rallied from an early 10-0 deficit to beat the Longhorns. Bryan Still had 119 yards receiving and returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown in the first half. In the second half, Still hauled in a 54-yard touchdown pass as Tech pulled away for the victory.
2000: Florida State 46, Virginia Tech 29
Five years after knocking off Texas in New Orleans, the Hokies returned to face the Seminoles in a battle of undefeated teams but came up on the short end after rallying from a 21-point deficit. Michael Vick threw for 225 yards and rushed for 97. Tech trailed 28-14 at the half but rallied to take a 29-28 lead in the third quarter, only to have FSU outscore them 18-0 in the fourth quarter for the win.
2005: Auburn 16, Virginia Tech 13
After falling behind 16-0, the Hokies had a furious fourth-quarter rally only to come up short by three points. Bryan Randall threw for 299 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown pass to Josh Morgan, but the Tigers were able to hold on to finish the season 13-0.
2012: Michigan 23, Virginia Tech 20 (OT)
In one of the more entertaining bowl games under Beamer, the Hokies rallied from an eight-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter only to lose in overtime to the Wolverines.
Gator Bowl (2-3)
1994: Tennessee 45, Virginia Tech 23
Peyton Manning and the Volunteers raced out to a 35-10 halftime lead and never looked back in beating the Hokies.
1998: North Carolina 42, Virginia Tech 3
The Tar Heels dominated the Hokies from start to finish. Tech’s offense got 66 passing yards from Al Clark, 39 rushing yards from Ken Oxendine and 32 receiving yards from Marcus Parker. Not one of the more enjoyable bowl games.
2001: Virginia Tech 41, Clemson 20
Vick had one of his better bowl games for Beamer, earning the MVP Award after collecting 224 total yards of offense while the Hokies’ defense frustrated the Tigers all night long to finish the season 11-1.
2002: Florida State 30, Virginia Tech 17
One year later, Tech returned to Jacksonville but fell to Florida State. Andre Davis had 158 yards receiving and quarterback Grant Noel threw for 269 yards as the Hokies finished the season 8-4.
2006: Virginia Tech 35, Louisville 24
Four years later, Tech returned to Jacksonville and they twice rallied from double-digit deficits to beat the Cardinals. Marcus Vick was 11-for-21 for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Hokies.
Peach Bowl (1-1)
1981: Miami 20, Virginia Tech 10
1986: Virginia Tech 25, North Carolina State 24
On New Year’s Eve, the Hokies picked up their first-ever bowl victory when Chris Kizner drilled a 40-yard field goal on the game’s final play.
Sun Bowl (0-2)
1947: Cincinnati 18, Virginia Tech 6
2013: UCLA 42, Virginia Tech 12
On New Year’s Eve, the Hokies lost quarterback Logan Thomas to an injury and was never able to recover scoring just a touchdown, field goal, and safety against the Bruins.
Liberty Bowl (0-2)
1966: Miami 14, Virginia Tech 7
1968: Mississippi State 34, Virginia Tech 17
Independence Bowl (2-1)
1984: Air Force 23, Virginia Tech 7
1993: Virginia Tech 45, Indiana 20
2015: Virginia Tech 55, Tulsa 52
In a wide-open scoring fest, Virginia Tech led 45-31 at halftime, yes, that’s not a mistake, 76 first-half points. In what was Beamer’s final game as head coach in Blacksburg, Michael Brewer threw for 344 yards and Virginia Tech set a record for points in a bowl game while racking up 598 yards. It was the perfect gift on the day after Christmas.
Military Bowl: (1-1)
2014: Virginia Tech 33, Cincinnati 17
Entering the game 6-6, the Hokies got 157 rushing yards from J.C. Coleman and four Joey Syle field goals in beating the Bearcats. Tech won the game despite allowing Cincinnati 489 yards of offense.
2018: Cincinnati 35, Virginia Tech 31
Four years later, the Bearcats got revenge by edging the Hokies by four points on New Year’s Eve. Virginia Tech, which finished the season 6-7 after the loss, got 219 passing yards from Ryan Willis and Cincinnati won the game with a touchdown with 1:29 remaining in the game.
Chick-fil-A-Bowl (1-1)
2006: Georgia 31, Virginia Tech 24
In one of the more disappointing bowls, the Hokies led the Bulldogs 21-3 at halftime, but Georgia took advantage of Tech turnovers to rally in front of 75,000 fans at the Georgia Dome.
2009: Virginia Tech 37, Tennessee 14
Leading 17-14 at halftime, the Hokies shut out the Volunteers in the second half to pull away. Taylor threw for 209 yards, Jarrett Boykin had 120 receiving yards and Ryan Williams rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
Belk Bowl (1-1)
2016: Virginia Tech 35, Arkansas 24
Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans was part of four touchdowns as the Hokies defense forced four second-half turnovers in beating the Razorbacks by rallying from a 24-0 halftime deficit to score 35 unanswered points. Evans threw for 243 yards and Cam Phillips had 115 yards receiving.
2019: Kentucky 37, Virginia Tech 30
Three years later, Tech led 17-14 at halftime, but the Wildcats scored the game-winning touchdown with 15 seconds left to edge the Hokies. Hendon Hooker was 10-for-22 with two touchdown passes.
Camping World Bowl (0-1)
2017: Oklahoma State 30, Virginia Tech 21
In Tech’s only visit to the Camping World Bowl, QB Josh Jackson threw for 248 yards and a touchdown, and Deshawn McClease rushed for 124 yards, but the Cowboys held off a fourth-quarter Hokies rally.
Russell Athletic Bowl (1-0)
2012: Virginia Tech 13, Rutgers 10 (OT)
In a rare overtime game, the Hokies beat the Scarlet Knights when Cody Journell kicked a 22-yard field goal to cap a rally from a 10-0 deficit in the fourth quarter. Tech avoided a losing season with the win to finish 7-6.
Pinstripe Bowl (0-1)
2021: Maryland 54, Virginia Tech 10
In a disappointing loss to the Terrapins at Yankee Stadium, Tech was outscored 30-0 in the second half after they fired Justin Fuente in November and the final game before the Pry-era officially began.
San Francisco Bowl (1-0)
2002: Virginia Tech 20, Air Force 13
The Hokies rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat the Falcons on New Year’s Eve to finish the season 10-4. Lee Suggs scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run.
Insight Bowl (0-1)
2003: California 52, Virginia Tech 49
In a trip to Arizona for a bowl game, the Hokies scored 21 points in the first and fourth quarters, but they were outscored 35-7 in the second and third quarters in losing to the Bears. California kicker Tyler Frederickson kicked a game-winning 35-yard field goal as time expired for the victory. Bryan Randall threw for 398 yards for Tech in the loss.
The Hokies have played in 34 bowl games and own a 13-21 record and they will look to improve that in 2023.