After a 6-6 regular season, the Virginia Tech football team, minus several key players because of the transfer portal and opt-outs, proved to be too inexperienced against Minnesota in the Duke's Mayo Bowl Friday night at Bank of America Stadium Friday night. Here is some instant reaction from the Hokies final game of the 2024 season.
Instant reaction from Virginia Tech Duke's Mayo Bowl loss to Minnesota
- The Hokies actually took the lead with the game's first touchdown on a Collin Schlee first-quarter run, but that was the only time they found the end zone. Nice to see him find paydirt in his final college game.
- That's not to say that Virginia Tech didn't have their chances the rest of the game, but questionable play calling inside the red zone led to a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter and an interception.
- Virginia Tech's lines were dominated by the Gophers all night long. The Hokies offensive line was blown off the ball all night and when Minnesota needed short yardage on offense, they had no trouble getting it.
- The Hokies have some good young players who impressed. Dante Lovett had his first interception and wide receiver Keylen Adams had a nice run on a reverse. Both have bright futures in Blacksburg.
- Minnesota gave Tech chances with a muffed punt early in the game and Lovett's pick, but as has been the case this season, the Hokies weren't able to convert them into points.
- Minnesota had their longest drive of the season in the third quarter into the fourth which lasted 9:20 and led to a field goal that all but sealed the victory.
- John Love had the highlight of the game for Virginia Tech with a Duke's Mayo Bowl record 60-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
Now it's back to the drawing board for Pry and the Hokies as they look toward 2025 and they have work to do with the transfer portal to rebuild their roster after a 14-point loss.