[Mark Umansky]
Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6, 4-4 ACC) vs No. 23 Tulane Green Wave (11-2, 8-0 AAC)
When: Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM EST
Where: Annapolis, MD | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (34,000)
Watch/Listen: ESPN / Virginia Tech IMG
Spread: VT -10.5
Weather: 52°F, Rain
Series: Virginia Tech leads the series 5-4 in a matchup dating back to 1956.
Reppin' TKP: Shelton Moss is live plus various forms of couch and bar coverage.
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Comments
HOKIES!!!!
One second. One stinking second 😂😂
At work. I will drink later.
😂 you gotta be quicker than that.gif
Sitting here at work just waiting to leave so I can watch the game. lol. Nothing is getting done today.
We are staying at Tulane fan's hotel. Great people here to see the game. Looking forward to a close game. Thinking that Tulane 's defense and run game will travel well. Go hokies! Hoping for a win and momentum into 24.
What's on the menu? I'm planning on making Italian-style subs. Sub roll with salami, ham, provolone cheese, tomato, thin-sliced onion, pickled hot banana peppers (from a jar, so not that hot), lettuce, little bit of red wine vinegar on the inside top of the bun with mustard, oregano and a small bit of salt and pepper.
Also making Cajin chicken with pasta, but that is for dinner.
I wish I would have skipped this post! I happen to be fasting for a medical appt. I'll have to break from watching the game shortly after halftime.
Luckily there's a good pho spot nearby, so I'll be made whole before coming back to finish up the game.
I kind of know the feeling. Was up close to 190 lbs and it was ticking me. Down to 184.5 this morning. Skipped breakfast and lunch won't be until game time as I'm trying to get back below 180 lbs by the end of the year.
Sounds amazing
So, where is my invitation and when are we eating? 😉
Where are you based?
See this:
Location: Winchester, VA
Heck we do go through there almost every year to go camping.
Sounds amazing. You should try adding some Cento jarred sweet peppers. Adds a sweet/vinegary pop. And if you want to kick the heat up a bit, replace the hot banana peppers with hot cherry peppers.
Buffalo chicken dip, homemade chex mix, sour cream and onion dip, Magic Cookie Bars are on the snack station.
Main food will be wings from Buffalo Wing Factory and a build a sub layout.
Italian subs sound spot on.
We are having leftover Mac and cheese, ham, mashed potatoes from family party yesterday.
Hammering the Dos Equis as well. May need to walk to the store at halftime for more!
Let's fucking Go!!!
Sounds great.
We'll be having leftover ham, scalloped potatoes, and whatever else we run across.
Looks both patriotic and Virginia Tech enough, but I'm always going to prefer Maroon and Burnt Orange.
Full uni:
We seriously need to win by 3+ scores to make up for that uni combo
If they REALLY wanted to do this right and go all out - drop all the O&M colors altogether and replace with the OG VPI blue and grey. Maybe grey pants with blue piping, and for the uni numbers use the blue / grey camo print.
Done!
If they auction these helmets off, as they occasionally do, I will definitely by purchasing.
Sounds like some Tulane players were trying to fight APR in pregame walkthroughs
Good start for the defense! Three and out!
Good defensive start
well poop
The ball is wet
Here's hoping that is the highlight of Tulane's game.
Oooh boy that's not a good start
Well. Rain does make things wet.
Oh Snap!
Gonna have to throw out the playbook and run the ball down their throat today.
We keep dropping back to pass and this could snowball on us like it did for UNC in the hurricane in 2016
Unfortunately we don't have the Oline for that.
Heavy dose of read options until they prove they can stop it. We're hitting on a healthy clip with it right now
I thought Drones fumbled on that first down run, that might be a ball don't lie moment. Also, it's not like Drones hasn't randomly fumbled balls all year.
Well that wasn't supposed to happen...
Something happened on that playcall as well. Two guys ran free right at Drones and you see him questioning the guys on the OL after it.
Drones just seems anxious in the last three plays. An overthrown, what looked to be an easy, pass to Lane, decided run from the pocket right into a defender when there was no pressure to run, and the dropped ball (I know the rain isn't helping).
Why does their LB have a puffy mustache on his facemask?
Don't know if I liked the 4th down call, but Drones made a play
Tuten dropping that Linebacker with the bump was great and made that play possible
Well shit Gosnell probably just blew out his knee
There goes next year for Gosnell
Gosnell down...wow, this day has not gone to script
ESPN with limited TV angles today. Not too surprising considering the location and weather I guess.
Working in our favor.
Radio guys said that this broadcast was subcontracted out to somebody, can't remember who, and that they were only using 6 cameras.
Tupelo Honey!
Yep - I remembered that the name was catchy in some way.
Yay points, good hold by #25 Peter Moore
Great to hear Gosnell ran off on his own power.
Listening to people in the bar refer to 2010s Tech as 'back in the day' is definitely something
Would have loved 7 but it is good to get some points
tablet sighted. Wonder if it will help for next drive.
This O line is so bad, given the weapons we have on offense the contrast is actually crazy
I'm at Cabo taco in Blacksburg. No sound obviously. Hokie house and Champs were closed.
Need to ban artificial surfaces.
I can get onboard with this
Well ok that works
What a catch by Tuten!!
Felton still needs to dive across the defender to maybe get a PI
Yeah. When he turned and bumped the guy...fall down.
Lol Tuten makes the circus catch, drops the gimme
Wooooo that's the opposite of out kicking the coverage, we out kicked the returner!
What on Earth was that attempted catch as well, wow
Wet ball pay back!!
Beamerball!!!
Peter Moore creating #25 Special Teams Magic
Water weighs the same!!!
BEAMAR BALL!
Bourbon 👆
Possessed it with his knees!
Can Kyron quit dropping the ball...
Ball control man
That is how the Punter respects the 25
Let's get some Stickum for Drones.
Bowl refs mean this is getting overturned
Sun Belt refs not going to help.
Jfc ball security guys
Oh shit he fumbled it
That's gonna be a touch back
Lol of course bowl refs means th TD stands...
Yeah, that's definitely a fumble.
Edit: We got lucky. Also, thank God they ruled it as a TD on the field.
Trying to be fair, i think the ball is out
Yeah we got lucky on that call
Bowl game miracle with that TD call.
Thank you football gods.
Now, get that QB a towel.
Think we got lucky there. Not only do I think it was probably out, but had it been called the other way it also would have stood.
my feelings exactly
Def out but zero definitive angle to show it out clearly before the goal line. I'll take it lol
That was a fumble holy cow
Wow. We got a "Michigan" factor based call
Drones knows too...I liked how Pry went and talked to him
We may need better wet ball gloves. I think that is the 4th bobble
Suddenly we can't stop the run
When could we stop the run this year? Lol
Their first two drives?
One quarter down!!
That commercial was so bad...
Well they WERE the Bowl Sponsor but yeah the production level was cringeworthy. Worse in he stadium as they showed it on the scoreboard 3-4 times.
Well that's exactly what I'd expect a 6-6 team looking like after a three week break.
Now let's play three mistake free quarters!
Bend
DON'T
BREAK
So are doing the storyline of backup QB has historic amazing day against the Hokies??? Makes you wonder how he was ever the backup??
Wow, Lady Luck is back with us
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!
APR
How are we playing that far off the receiver inside 15 yard line?
Edit: guess that makes up for it
They exploded through that line!!
Way to go APR!
The Defense comes through! APR!
Alotta
Penetration
Rightnow
Payne had his hands on the qb before he could even turn around! Wow
Now a long drive by the offense and get points doing it. Use the time to coach up the Defense.
Need me some toot toot
A new coach being interviewed in a bowl game? Time for a big play.
New coach sitting in covered seating to stay out of the rain. Guess it's a two edge sword if he was near the sideline but still.
APR should have given the ball to their #5 after he was talking so much shit to the crowd after that goal line catch.
That guy was really pissing me off in the first quarter. Seemed like every time he touched the ball he was gesturing to the crowd and making faces like an asshole. Frankly there was a lot of trash talk from Tulane players. Good thing we stomped their guts out.
That tongue thing was weird but on brand for New Orleans.
Where was Drones trying to go with that pass
And that was a poor punt
I feel like Moore has been so inconsistent when punting this year.
Every time they show Mizzou on the commercial, they score. They've got to be up on anOSU like 50 points by now.
I'll give this game one thing, it has certainly been entertaining.
Need a good stop here by the defense.
Oh no
What happened?!
Their QB carted off with everyone on the field on one knee. And I still don't really know what happened
Yeah, I totally missed it.
Must be a compound fracture of his leg. Full leg cast
Their backup QB is getting carted off.
Looks like a lower leg injury.
On the slo-mo you could see either a break or severe dislocation right under the knee. Sheesh. Anytime that aircast comes out, it's no bueno.
So backup to the backup. Prepare to be lit up.
Our DTs are starting to dominate the middle of their line.
If APR has just a little more patience, that's a pick 6
Great play nonetheless
Should have thrown it to the OT.
That may have been APR's easiest sack
Does it count as one? It was the qb but not sure.
Nope. Was a pass completed for -5 yards.
Actually was a negative run as the running back threw a backwards lateral. If APR had tipped it it would have been a live ball.
I stand corrected. Was a lateral.
I will not get excited for next year. I will not get excited for next year. I will not get excited for next year.
Dang. Hats off to the Tulane kicker. Great kick on a wet field.
Alright. Let's drive. Get 7. Then we get the ball to open the second.
SG12 spotting on sideline. Still in uniform. Good sign.
Tuten is so much fun to watch.
Has Drones had that much time to throw all year? Combined?
The commentator needs to stop making calls on video he doesn't have.
Stick it in please.
PI
OK, Commentator nailed that one.
The time isn't right.
If you stop the forward progress, shouldn't the clock stop?
Wasted so much time
Well, they added back 2 seconds.
WOW
Beautiful call!
Boom!
TD!
Smart call on the TD! D sold out on the run
Benji and HSG looking like a legit TE duo next year.
I was kinda wondering if that was a not so veiled shade cast at wright by Bowen for bailing...either way they came up pretty big to help the passing game out
That's a drive.
H-S-G!!!
THAT was a big dick drive right there. Get the TD, bleed all the clock and we get the kickoff at halftime.
Great job by Bowen. Great execution by the team
Agreed, thought they were going to stall out after the great runs by Tuten but great job by the offense!
Man this sounds great I can't wait to watch later. (going to airport 😞)
I'll say it now before the first half is even over ... watch out for the onside KO to start the second half. Wet ball, sloppy field, bowl game, would be a time to try and pull it off if I'm Tulane.
What about before halftime?
That was sure as heck not I was expecting though.
Lol great call. Albeit a little early.
Do I get flagged for a false start?
Great drive. Good play calls, good execution.
Still some things to clean up but I'll take it.
LOLZ ONSIDE RECOVERY
That's one way to prevent a return just before the half?
Hail Mary?
Stephen Gosnell sighting on the sidelines, laughing and celebrating with his teammates in his pads. LOVE TO SEE IT.
👆
That might be the greatest kick I've ever seen.
OK, that's hilarious.
So far, this is kind of a fun game. They're definitely making calls you don't call if the game is critical.
Really like the touch on the pass by Kyron. He didn't try to impale Saint Germain with the ball. Let him catch an easy toss.
Beamerball?
Glad I didn't duck out early! That was a crazy kickoff.
Odd timing for an on-side kick, 5 seconds is only enough time for a hail mary or a really long field goal. We get the ball after the half. I'm not mad or complaining, I just don't understand. I'd go for a really long field goal personally.
Didn't look like the onside was intentional.
It wasn't an onside kick. The kicker yeeted the ball for a squib. It just hit the Tulane player.
Wasn't on purpose. Was a squib kick to run clock, but hit the guy and we recovered.
Was a squib kick to prevent return but hit the guy
Yeah. Replay showed him actively trying to get out of the way. He probably knew he had zero chance to catch it cleanly.
I don't know if you knew this already, but it was apparently not intentional.
This OL can't even block a four man font for three seconds. Embarrassing.
How big was losing that extra 10 seconds down there at the goalline? If they had 15 seconds they could have tried to get in field goal range.
Yeah. But if we would have scored with that much time we would've kicked deep and given them time for 1-2 plays.
The Hail Mary is such a wasted play. I would put have someone else take the snap, line up Drones as WR. Then release all the receivers deep, have one guy stop short (about 15-20 yards). Catch the ball and have the WRs block the goal line players like a punt.
The risk of injury was higher than the odds of success.
Put it on the list of things to work on.
This team is going to show up with so much more experience next year.
Really hope we get another oline or two out of the portal after that display against a four man front
Agreed, Pry ripped into them after Tuten got stopped inside the 1 and had no help from his guys...the OL just stood there and looked
Yeah, Chaplin should stay and maybe one of the Moore bros. Other starters may need some difficult conversations soon.
Need guys to replace them first. Portal OL are not easy to get.
Can we proactively cut FSU from the ACC commercials? If they don't want to be here why should we showcase them?
To be fair, we don't particularly want to be in the ACC either....
We haven't been vocal about it. (at least officially)
A long drive and score a TD to go up by 14 would be nice, VERY nice.
Why do you run that out of the end zone?
Wow...about as stupid way to open the half as possible
Well poop
That is NOT what I wanted to see
Ball security is awful today
Not the way to start the half guys.
You just gained six yards on a run. Why throw?
In a damn downpour as well
That's just poor. Know the situation and deviate from plays that WILL NOT WORK
Why call that play right there??
Let's just keep them out of the end zone.
Lane had clear recovery on replay
Not sure why they didn't insist on review
Raining hard AF and you throw a bubble screen!? Come on bowen
Didn't Pry JUST SAY to take care of the ball?
And tied
Fucking Christ that was horrendous football to start the half
Tulane WR was lined up in the neutral zone
I guess water was in the refs' eyes.
Well....poop again
That was totally pathetic.
He spiked the ball. Should be an unsportsmanlike penalty.
I'm feeling a little robbed now.
I guess the green wave likes floods.
Shouldn't have taken the kickoff out. Shouldn't have run a bubble screen. Missed a tackled for loss. Couldn't start worse.
I know the coaches didn't fumble the ball, but damn... sometimes these coaches just overthink things way too much.
We've given them 14 points
Yeah, that's something we need to stop doing.
At least they did give 7 back.
Alright. Settle down. Get the ball - and don't run it out of the end zone if it is kicked there - and then run with Tuten and Drones. We've largely dominated without the 2 offensive turnovers deep in our end.
We've played about 6 plays this half including the kickoff and we've had someone make a terrible mistake on 5 of them
Why don't they give those helmets to ALL the teams, and cut all of Michigan's signs stealing. Hell, even make Michigan pay for them.
Just keep running.
It's pouring now.
It starts raining harder and they drop back to pass after gashing them twice on runs
I can't even
Lol ok it was to set up the draw
I'll allow it.
I'm about tired of hearing about Slade Nagel.
TOOT TOOT
Toot Toot!!
Edit: I'll drink.
Excellent drive in response
Now, stop giving the ball away, Hokies!
OK, starting to feel a little better about it.
Not too fancy, just ram it down their throats.
It's almost like running it...works?
To be fair, they did maintain the throwing threat from Drones.
It's almost like running is the better option when its pouring rain??
Great drive!
When it rains, it pours.
TUT TUT TOUCHDOWN!!!!
Lucky we didn't get called for offsides on that 3rd down play
This would be a huge stop.
YES!!!!
I'm already missing Pledarius Payne
What a stop by Payne!!!
Putting the Payne on them
How the eff did we come down with that duck!?!
LOL WHAT
How in the world did that play work
What a catch!!
WOW
Went from OH SHIT, to HELL YEAH BROTHER
Aidan Greene with the catch!
Number 11 on Tulane talking smack after that tackle for a 44 yard gain?
Drones threw a shoulder into him and then got in his face, giving it right back to him.
I feel that that throw was ill-advised, but I'll take it.
Definitely grabbed Greens facemask to make that tackle
It seemed obvious, and I would have thought Green would have said something about it also.
Drones needs a glove.
We have zero reasons to attempt passing any more as long as we are running this way. Way more dangerous to attempt a pass than not right now.
Run. The. Damn. Ball...where we were as far as down and distance, I'm okay with a run in this weather and take the "sure" points. Drones clearly can't hold on to the ball for long today and it's understandable
Drones may need to move to gloves.
OK, I'm drinking.
We have 230 rush yards and we are still throwing. C'mon man.
I don't think we quite trust our OL with a 100% run game.
Even in a flood.
Alright, big kick to get up by 2 scores. Let's keep the defense going well.
Pry at the post-game presser gonna be calling out the offensive staff for some of this stuff. Haha.
Well, there have been a ton of fumbles.
Drones just trying to keep the ball on the ground for the rest of the game.
Did the rain slow down again? Damn.
OK, never mind. Seems to still be biblical.
Might have slowed down but it hasn't stopped
Tisdale may be playing his best game of the year.
C'mon fellas. Need a stop.
Go ahead. Mention Slade Nagel again.
You KNOW you want to.
We are going to need some more points folks.
I think Bowen knew that, which is why he was having Drones throw the ball.
Slade Nagel knows how to feed the hot hand.
I hope Bowen is learning from the Tulane OC here.
Slade Nagel is getting upset.
Starting to curse at everyone around him.
Slade Nagel iced his own kicker.
No tempo on that play. I'll take a 10 point lead into the fourth.
Very soon to be a 7 point lead, I think.
Honestly, I don't care what we do here. I'd rather see us play around, have fun and try some stuff for next year. We know we can beat them running over them.
Ummmm..... what? You play to win the game. You play to win the game! (Herm Edwards)
If we can beat them by running over them, then that's what we should do.
Seriously, you play for the win.
Winning is fun! You play to win. Try stuff for next year in spring practice and fall camp.
I'm just saying bowl games are meaningless. We've played well (less the drops and fumbles). Have some fun. I don't care if we never pass again. Just run some stuff (sweeps, reverses, whatever).
Like that end around by XTB
Anyone else getting Groundskeeper Willie vibes from Interim HC Slade Nagel?
I think we're getting it from the commentators mentioning his full name about every 30 seconds.
Never pass again.
Kyron is tearing it
He has 193 yards rushing
Run the damn ball baby
I'm so glad we get to watch Tuten next year in Orange and Maroon next year again.
Don't over think this, Tyler. Stay on the ground.
Wonder why Tulane has not put a spy on Drones. Not that I'm complaining, but why not have a spy on him?
Maybe that's a side benefit of having Drones inexplicably throw sometimes.
Maybe. But I'd still take the chance and try and force him to throw it.
Just Run, Baby.
Can we get Drones and Tuten to 200?
They're both over 100 on the ground today
I want 200 each.
Fair.
Is this running game... Explosive?
And now we turn to Slade Nagel for his thoughts on the game...
Drones, Tutten, Tutten, Drones, Drones, Drones - that should be the formula for the remainder of the 4th.
Pretty sure he was over the line. If he wasn't it was awfully damn close.
Some part of him wasn't.
Boing!
Oh mah gawd what a play by Drones
Drone strike gif please
I LOVE that play.
First Hokie from Hillsville to score since Frank Beamer?
Up by 14 in the 4th quarter.
We want a stop by the Defense now
Yes, please.
Not giving them points has really helped.
Does that count?
Kaboom!
Time to put this game to bed
Way to go Defense
Night night #0
DAAAAAYUM WHAT A MISSILE HIT BY MOSE
Phillips wasn't worthy of the Murica helmet sticker, but he's making up for it on the field!
Mose only knows targeting and big hits. Let's goooo!
Feeling good now boys...
Now let's ...
Brent Pry looks a little happy.
Even if the commentators don't give him the loving they give what's his name.
Wow what a hit .... boom
Drones needs to watch it. Lucky he didn't get taunting there.
Yeah, we need to avoid any extracurriculars.
TOOT TOOOOOOOOOOT
keep talking, Tulane, you're getting smoked in a downpour
I think we've got a chance!
Also, a Chanz.
I'm having fun. Are you guys having fun?
This is much more enjoyable than the last time we were in this bowl
Yes. More than we had in the first half.
If I was having anymore fun, I'd be twins!
Drones now has 206 yards on the ground.
Tuten has 136.
Against a run defense that was highly ranked. Admittedly they are understaffed today, but still ..
I thought it was only their offense that was missing people?
I counted 5 on the list, source: https://wgno.com/sports/bowl-wave-tulane-has-re-tooled-roster-for-milita...
Does anyone know what Slade Nagel thinks of that drive?
He's not feeling the love any more.
Nade Slagel isn't having fun anymore.
Dare I say our players look like they are trying to do a little damage out there... reminds me of the old days and I like it. A lot!
Bringing back the VT culture!
Let's wrap this thing up and grab a couple 12 more portal guys and continue the rebuild into next season.
Sorry everyone - I already had my Tech tshirt on, but we started pulling away (scored our first TD of the second half) when I put on my tech pj bottoms as well. I should have done that earlier.
Whatever you did just before their QB got tackled worked pretty well.
Man our defense smells blood in the water and they're looking to feast
The closing speed from Keli is insane.
I was surprised the QB didn't get rid of the ball - could he have not seen Lawson?
Does APR have his 1/2 sack yet?
Pollard got a little excited, I guess.
Coach Pry, what is best in life?
JC Price would have caught that pass.
Someone ran into the kicker?
Darn, that was stupid.
Yeah but the kick catch interference was ok, apparently
I don't think they can see out there.
Bring Em All!!!
They're just prolonging the misery with these penalties at this point.
Yep, just want to get the backups into the game and grind down the clock.
Lucky we weren't whistled for offsides on that one too
Can we start the FAM thread?
Will Pry even feel a Gatorade bath?
Pick by Lovett...vibes are beautiful
Lovett wants the replay. They ruled it incomplete.
Just bring this to a quick-as-possible conclusion.
with no VT injuries.
Even an injury going into the off season could set somebody back for next year.
Shoutout to all the fans there but man, I am so glad I didn't go.
You're welcome!! Glad to have taken the soaking (and the nightmarish drive home to Richmond as well on Us 50 where I could barely see the lane markers in 35 mph traffic). But hey the beer at the tailgate and in the stadium was only $6 for a 16 oz aluminum can so we had THAT going for us (and the bathrooms were toasty warm)!
Too bad no giftory. That dude in the rain saying it was a catch would be on there for sure
Tuten's bobbling catch and the fans sliding in the mud on my list.
So would that stupid graphic at the beginning about Tulanes vaunted rush defense
Does Grant get a few snaps now? Or Pop?
I might give one to Wells and the rest to Watson.
He is in
Tulane receivers need some of these battle vision storm glasses. Good to see ACCN commercials making an appearance in this game.
Put in any seniors or guys leaving for lower pastures.
Really pleased with how well they have run the ball in the second half. Tulane challenged them, hit the Hokies in the mouth, and VT responded. Several of the Tulane portal guys did play on defense other than the safeties, so against this defense, this performance in the run game shouldn't be taken lightly. This is a physical big nasty team they are imposing their will on.
Thank you for letting me know how i should feel about this win
I already felt that way, but now I know my instincts were justified.
I love you guys
Stress-free 4th quarters are the best
I'll take the W.
VT needed to win this one.
They should've let Wells throw an 80-yard bomb for the last play
Hooray for bowl wins and a winning record!
362 Yards Rushing FAM
They got Pry good with the Gatorade bath haha
Should've dumped a bucket of dry towels in Pry instead of the Gatorade bath. Sure he didn't even feel it.
But he had to carry some Gatorade in his hood for a little bit.
Bowl game name MVP: Monsoon Tulane
I guess the Gatorade was probably a lot colder than the rain
stickier, anyway
Better than a bucket of mayo.
362359 yards rushing. Let that sink in for a moment. I was thinking UVA was a peak performance for the season. Turns out it was a warm-up.A good win
Drones was the MVP with 176 yards according to TV
(Note (https://hokiesports.com/sidearmstats/football/individual;team=away) listed 206 gained but net was 176 (I guess the difference was sacks?)
That was just rushing, another 91 passing.
Nice to have a rushing QB run wild on the opposing team and having no answer instead of being on the receiving end of such a performance.
The culture is changing under Brent Pry.
BOOM!
what an end to the season!
lets talk moving forward: we need to pull faheem delane and will love
More yards than comments in the game thread, fam