From the sidelines
By Marty Gordon
Head coach Brent Pry was ruled safe from a mayo bath after this week’s bowl game.
Virginia Tech falls to 6-7 record after losing to Minnesota in the Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Fans needed a roster card to determine who was on the field as many as 14 starters “refused” to play for the Hokies as they either left for the transfer portal or opted out for the NFL draft.
The day was full of sponsor gimmicks, and an ESPN broadcast that kept cutting in and out for cable viewers in the New River Valley.
But it was what the Hokies put on the field that was truly under the microscope. There were no real surprises, and fans knew it might be ugly.
The offensive line was like Swiss cheese with holes on both sides of the center.
The two-headed quarterback monster of Pop Watson and Colin Schlee did not work.
Because of the problems with the offensive line and blocking schemes, there was no rushing attack.
Minnesota found success when they had the ball, both running and throwing the ball.
Tech receiver Ali Jennings wore jersey No. 1, typically worn by QB Kyron Drones, who was out of the game with injuries. Thus, turning to the roster card again.
Pry was given a 15-yard penalty in the second quarter when he argued a no-call. This is the most excited he probably got in the ball game.
Also, who was the television engineer that said a live dipping of an ice cream dove bar into a jar of mayo would go okay.
On the flip side for the Hokies nothing could be found in a mayo jar. There were a few positives, and we mean few.
Beamer ball showed up for the game. Kicker John Love set a bowl record with a 60-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Punter Peter Bowl hit a 69-yard booming kick during the game.
Jonathan Pennix also recovered a special teams’ fumble by Minnesota.
But none of it was enough.
Hokie fans, there is always next year.
Side note: “Tubby,” the bowl game’s mascot which resembled a large yellow-and-white mayonnaise jar took a spoon out at the end of the game and was a celebrity no one expected. It turned out to be hip-hop artist (and superfan from the 2024 Summer Olympics) Flavor Flav.