Instant Reaction From Virginia Tech Football's Rout of Virginia to Become Bowl-Eligible

When the 2024 season began at Vanderbilt on Aug. 31, nobody thought that when Virginia Tech hosted Virginia for the Commonwealth Cup on Thanksgiving Weekend they would need a win to become bowl-eligible. That was the situation facing the Hokies Saturday night at Lane Stadium.

To make things even more interesting, the Cavaliers came into the game at 5-6 like Virginia Tech and needed a win to become bowl-eligible themselves. As has been the norm with Virginia Tech in 2024, nothing ever comes easy.

Virginia Tech played a near perfect first half and took a 20-3 lead into halftime and then got a fourth-and-short stop to begin the second half at the Cavaliers' 45-yard line. Quarterback Pop Watson scored a touchdown run on the ensuing possession for an early 27-3 lead in the third quarter. Coasting to a win? Not in 2024.

Virginia made things interesting with a pair of second-half touchdown drives to close the gap to 30-17 early in the fourth quarter, but Bhayshul Tuten saved his best for last. A 58-yard touchdown run with 6:12 lead for a 37-17 lead and it put the game away and clinched bowl-eligibility for the Hokies.

The story of the night was Watson in his first college start. The freshman from Springfield, Mass. looked poised and played as well as Brent Pry and Tyler Bowen hoped he would in place of Kyron Drones and Collin Schlee. Watson finished 14-for-21 through the air for 254 yards and a touchdown pass to Jaylin Lane. He also rushed for 51 yards on nine carries.

If Virginia Tech was going to win, they needed a huge night from Tuten and he delivered. On 18 carries, he had 124 yards and two touchdowns on 6 and 58 yards. The night offensively, however, belonged to Watson.

Defensively, Antwaun Powell-Ryland got after Virginia QB Tony Muskett and had three sacks giving him 16 on the season, tying Bruce Smith who recorded 16 in 1984. Jaylen Jones had an interception at the end of the first half that led to a John Love field goal as time expired in the half. Mansoor Delane added one late in the game.

Now that they are bowl-eligible, the Hokies will have to wait a week to learn their destination, but also, it wouldn't be surprising to see some players opt out whether it's to get ready for the next level or the transfer portal.