Before the ball was even kicked off at Scott Stadium on Saturday night, the Virginia Tech football team was already behind the eight-ball. Virginia was 9-2, and a win away from the ACC Championship Game and the better team, but the Hokies were dealt tough injury news with running back Marcellous Hawkins and wide receiver Ayden Greene ruled out.
Those two key offensive players being out didn't help the cause for quarterback Kyron Drones and an offense that has struggled to move the ball; they struggled to move the ball against the Cavaliers' defense. It was a tough watch and left a lot of people wondering, 'Where was Pop Watson?'
He was never seen on the field as interim coach Philip Montgomery stuck with his veteran quarterback and rode him in a 27-7 loss. After the game, Montgomery was asked why there wasn't a quarterback change, and his answer proved he was out of answers.
Virginia Tech interim coach Philip Montgomery proved he was out of answers in defending Kyron Drones
After the 20-point loss that ended the Hokies' season at 3-9, Montgomery said the following pre Andy Bitter of Tech Sideline,
"I don't think it's about the quarterback change. There are a lot of reasons. The one thing I'll tell you: Kyron has been a great leader for this team."
Look, Drones has probably been a great leader for the team, but it would do more with the results on the field. The Baylor transfer finished 4-for-16 for 78 yards, with 57 of those coming late in the game on a touchdown pass to Snook Peterkin. Other than that, there were two interceptions and balls not thrown very well. He did make a couple of throws that should have been caught, but most balls had no chance.
Would Watson have led Virginia Tech to a come-from-behind upset? No, but he would have provided a spark to make the offense to make it more interesting than it was. He did against Miami last week. This final performance from the offense sums up the 2025 season.