Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football is gearing up for Brent Pry’s second bowl appearance as head coach, with just two weeks to go before the highly anticipated matchup. The Hokies will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers under the bright lights of Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, kicking off Friday, Jan. 3, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Check out this year’s Bowl Snapshot, brought to you by Kroger, and explore Virginia Tech’s history in Charlotte’s postseason spotlight.
Established in 2002, the bowl has undergone several rebranding's, with past sponsors including Continental Tires, Meineke Car Care, and Belk before Duke’s Mayo took over in 2020. Since then, the bowl has alternated its matchups between the Big Ten and SEC, with the Big Ten playing in even-numbered years and the SEC in odd-numbered years. The ACC has consistently been part of the bowl’s tie-ins, making this an exciting opportunity for Hokie fans.
One of the bowl’s most talked about traditions is the celebratory Duke’s Mayo bath. The winning coach gets a jar of mayonnaise dumped on their head—a fun twist on the classic Gatorade bath that has quickly become a fan favorite.
This year marks Virginia Tech’s 36th all-time bowl berth and their second consecutive postseason appearance under Coach Brent Pry. Last year, the Hokies had a strong showing in the 2023 Military Bowl, where they defeated Tulane 41-20. Entering the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Virginia Tech holds a 1-1 record in this specific game, having made previous appearances in 2016 and 2019.
In their first-ever Charlotte Bowl appearance in 2016, the Hokies delivered a thrilling comeback victory against SEC powerhouse Arkansas, overcoming a 24-0 halftime deficit to win 35-24. Quarterback Jerod Evans led the charge, scoring on a 4-yard rushing touchdown, throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to fullback Sam Rogers, and connecting with tight end Chris Cunningham for another score. In the fourth quarter, running back Travon McMillian added a 6-yard rushing touchdown, and Evans sealed the game with a 1-yard run.
This season, Tech finished the regular season at 6-6, clinching bowl eligibility with a 37-17 win over in-state rival Virginia in the season finale. Redshirt freshman quarterback Pop Watson stepped in to lead the Hokies after injuries sidelined Kyron Drones and Collin Schlee.
Minnesota enters the game at 7-5, riding the momentum of a 24-7 victory over Wisconsin to close out their regular season. Under head coach P.J. Fleck, the Golden Gophers have relied on a disciplined, run-focused approach throughout the year. For more on Minnesota’s season and key players, check out our Know the Foe article.
With both teams eager to conclude their seasons on a high note, this year’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl promises to be an unforgettable clash. Can the Hokies make history once again in Charlotte? Tune in on Jan. 3 to find out! Fans can still purchase tickets through Ticketmaster to cheer on Virginia Tech alongside Hokie Nation.