Hokie ClubHeading into their first-ever meeting, Virginia Tech and Minnesota each look to end the season on a high note when they meet inside Bank of America Stadium on Friday evening. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN.
Bowl Game Storylines
Seeking to return to the core foundations of the program’s success, there’s still plenty to play for when the Hokies take the field on Friday night.
Sitting at 6-6 so far on the season, Tech looks for its second consecutive winning season to round out Brent Pry’s third year. It also searches for its second straight bowl victory, and to move to 2-0 in postseason play under the Pry regime.
That’s not to say that there aren't some intriguing storylines coming from the other side, though. Dating back to 2015, Minnesota’s won each of its last seven bowl games the Gophers have appeared in. Five of those came under eighth-year head coach PJ Fleck, with the program looking to move to 6-0 in the postseason since he took over in the Twin Cities.
It’s quite the opportunity for the Hokies this weekend in Charlotte, with Tech aiming to snatch some momentum to carry into the offseason and the eventual 2025 campaign.
A Feisty Bunch
Though faced with opt-outs and transfer portal entries, the Golden Gophers’ defensive bunch is arguably one of the strongest the Hokies have faced all year.
Currently ranking sixth in total defense, Minnesota also finds itself ninth nationally in yards per game. The Gophers give up just 305 yards a contest and only yield 4.7 yards per play – good for the 18th fewest in all of college football.
It’s a unit that’s in the top 25 in almost every essential category when measuring the defense as a whole, creating quite the challenge for a Tech team looking to establish a rhythm with some new faces pressed into the fold.
Reversing Field
Though Minnesota’s defense stacks up as one of the best, on the offensive end it has struggled at times so far this year. The Gophers rank 113th nationally in total offense in 2024, putting up just 324 yards per game and right around five yards a play.
On the flip side, the Hokies stack up well defensively. Tech positioned itself fourth in the ACC in the regular season when it comes to total defense, also limiting opponents to five yards per play over the course of the year.
Friday’s postseason matchup will also be a new opportunity for many individuals stepping up in key roles. STARs/Nickels coach Shawn Quinn will act as the defensive play-caller for the upcoming contest following the staff changes made at the conclusion of the regular season. Younger players across Tech’s roster may see increased on-field snaps with some roles vacated via opt-outs or student-athletes entering the transfer portal.
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