Virginia Tech Football: 5 plays that defined the 2023 season

1. Fourth down pass to Stephen Gosnell at Virginia

After losing to NC State at home the weekend before Thanksgiving, it was simple when Virginia Tech traveled to Charlottesville to face Virginia, win or go home. At 5-6, the Hokies needed to beat the 3-8 Cavaliers, and UVA would have loved nothing more than to end their rivals' run at home and send them into a long offseason. The game plan was simple, do what was needed to finish the game with more points on the board than Virginia.

Leading 3-0 in the first quarter, Virginia Tech faced a 4th-and-2 at the Cavaliers’ 44-yard line when Pry went for it. Drones rolled out to his right and in what looked like was going to a run for a first down, he threw the ball deep to Gosnell who was behind the Virginia secondary for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead. That play fired up the Hokies and led them to a 55-17 win to become bowl-eligible. It was the right call and it helped Virginia Tech make an early statement against a Cavaliers team that talked some trash leading into the game and did not back it up.