"Unbothered: I Can't Get Too Upset Over That Duke’s Mayo Bowl Loss"

 

January 4, 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Let's be honest: The Hokies weren’t winning that game.

In the "next-man-up" mentality that’s prevalent in college football, backups are expected to seamlessly step in and perform at a high level when needed. They’re essentially considered extensions of the starters, ready to go at a moment’s notice.

But let’s face it: That doesn’t always happen. There's often a noticeable dropoff in performance. And it’s even more challenging when you're not just replacing one or two starters, but 14 — like the Hokies were on Friday night in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

So, it’s no surprise that Virginia Tech came up short, losing 24-10 to Minnesota. The defeat marked the Hokies’ second losing season in three years under Brent Pry and extended the program’s streak to 13 straight losses against non-conference Power 4 teams, dating back to 2017.