Slumping Hokies still have eye on postseason
Virginia Tech is clinging to hope that it will reach the postseason for the 26th consecutive season.
The Hokies, officially, have the longest bowl streak in the country (25 in a row), thanks to Florida State having to vacate a 2006 Emerald Bowl appearance. FSU is still trying to get bowl-eligible for what would be the 37th consecutive season.
Virginia Tech (4-6, 3-4 ACC) has lost four consecutive games, including being outscored 90-36 in the past two weeks by Pitt and Miami. The Hokies have, unthinkably, lost four consecutive games at home — that hadn’t happened since 1992 — but will try to snap all these skids Friday when they play host to rival Virginia in what might be the season-finale.
Here’s the twist: Virginia Tech, which had a Week 3 game against East Carolina canceled, will schedule a replacement 12th game — at home against Marshall on Dec. 1 — if the Hokies beat Virginia and still have a chance to get bowl eligible.
If Virginia (7-4, 4-3) wins on Friday, Virginia Tech’s season will be over.
The season has certainly spiraled on the Hokies, who will be trying to extend their dominance over the Cavaliers. Virginia Tech has won 14 in a row in the series and, amazingly, hasn’t allowed more than 21 points in any of those meetings.
Getting a 15th win a row won’t be easy as the schools meet for the 100th time.
Virginia has a dynamic quarterback in Bryce Perkins, who is one of just two quarterbacks in the country to have 2,200 passing yards and 700 rushing yards. The other is Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray.
“Beating UVa is something we have to do year in and year out,” said junior quarterback Ryan Willis. “It’s expected. This rivalry is huge. I get how serious it is. I want to win more than anything in the world.”
But not everything seems right in Tech’s world.
In the aftermath of the loss to Miami, two players announced they would transfer — sophomore receiver Sean Savoy (57 career catches, including 18 this season) and redshirt freshman linebacker Rico Kearney (35 tackles, two for loss).
“We wish Rico and Sean nothing but the best. We have a lot invested in those young men and their future,” Fuente said.
“We’ve been through a lot with both of them, quite honestly, more than most people know. Nothing bad with their behavior, but just been through a lot and helping them grow up and mature. And sometimes it’s hard on young players when they’re forced into action before they’re ready, out of necessity or whatever the reason may be. Like I said, that’s a tough deal and we wish them nothing but the best.”
