Virginia Tech is in Charlotte preparing for Friday night's Duke's Mayo Bowl against Minnesota at Bank of American Stadium. There is some news surrounding Pop Watson, Ali Jennings, Tyler Bowen, Brent Pry, and Josh Fuga in this edition of Virginia Tech football news.
Pop Watson to start bowl game
To no surprise, head coach Brent Pry announced that Pop Watson will start at quarterback against the Gophers. Earlier this month, it was announced that both Watson and Kyron Drones were returning for 2025, and with Drones recovering from injuries, it makes no sense whatsoever that he even thinks of playing a snap. UCLA transfer Collin Schlee will also likely see some time in his final college game.
Josh Fuga has funny response about Brent Pry
Monday, defensive lineman Josh Fuga was asked if there was any extra motivation to win the bowl game considering the winning coach gets mayonnaise dumped on them. Fuga said it is, but had a funny response if they fail to win.
I asked #Hokies DT Josh Fuga if getting Brent Pry doused with mayo is motivation to win the @DukesMayoBowl. He said it is, but added, "I might dump it on him anyway."
— Mike Barber (@StillMikeBarber) December 30, 2024
Fuga was taking a funny jab at his head coach, but seriously, it'll be good to see Fuga take the field one more time as a Hokie in Charlotte.
Ali Jennings hints at some trick plays
The time off between the Hokies' regular season win over Virginia on Thanksgiving Weekend and their bowl game is longer than usual. Generally, most bowl games are completed before New Year's Day, but the Duke's Mayo Bowl is two days after the New Year. That gives coaches more time to put some trickery into their playbook and wide receiver Ali Jennings hinted at some potential gadget plays from offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen.
"T-Bow (Tyler Bowen) is always able to draw up some cool stuff. We might pull a trick or two out of his bag."
There is no reason to hold anything back in bowl games and everything in the playbook, new or old, should be on the table.