Notable Numbers: Virginia Tech vs. Minnesota

Virginia Tech football officially put the 2024 season in the books, closing the year with a postseason matchup against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. While facing roster challenges due to the transfer portal and opt-outs, the Hokies finished their appearance in the Duke's Mayo Bowl with some notable stats.

Read below to dive deeper into Tech's final matchup of the year in Charlotte, presented by Carter Bank.

Stats with Salas

Friday I’m In Love – Again
Once again on a Friday evening in an NFL stadium, John Love kicked his way into the record books. Back on Sept. 27 at Hard Rock Stadium against Miami, Love kicked a 57-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in the first half. At the time, it was the third-longest kick in Virginia Tech history. In Charlotte, he kicked a 60-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. The kick is the second longest in Virginia Tech football history and the longest ever in a Virginia Tech bowl game. It’s also the longest in Duke’s Mayo Bowl history, beating out a 54-yard kick by Tech’s Brian Johnson in the 2019 Belk Bowl against Kentucky. The Tech record for longest field goal in a game is 61 yards, set by Wayne Latimer in 1975 against Florida State in Lane Stadium.

One Moore For The Road
In his final game as a Hokie, punter Peter Moore kicked a 69-yard punt with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter. It was his career long and the longest punt by a Hokie in a bowl game. The previous long punt in a bowl game by a Hokie was 62 yards in the 1966 Liberty Bowl against Miami by Gene Fisher. Moore’s previous longest punt was 68 yards at Boston College in 2021.

UniWatch
Tech wore maroon helmets, maroon jerseys and white pants for the third time this season (Marshall and Georgia Tech). Tech is now 120-42 in that combination since 1987.

The Streak Continues
Friday’s game marked the 343rd consecutive game during which Virginia Tech has scored. The Hokies are in fourth place in both the all-time and active streak lists. In that span, Tech has shutout their opponent 34 times.

Tech Playmakers

Stacking Up the Greene
Wide receiver Ayden Greene has come on strong for the Hokies in the back half of the season. The true sophomore is a dynamic playmaker for offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen, as he's utilized both in the team's aerial attack and ground game. Greene flashed his big-play ability against a relatively stout Minnesota defense. The Knoxville, Tennessee product corralled six passes for 115 receiving yards in the contest, setting a new career high in receptions and yards. Greene's first-half production was a significant spark, as he quickly surpassed the century mark, highlighted by a 67-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Collin Schlee late in the first quarter. Friday's contest was just a glimpse of the talented wideout's explosiveness and offers plenty of optimism heading into the offseason.

Gotta Lovett
Playing in all 13 games in back-to-back seasons is very helpful for a student-athlete's development, and cornerback Dante Lovett gained plenty of valuable experience at Bank of America Stadium. Another true sophomore with intriguing intangibles, the defensive back made his second start of the year, taking full advantage of the opportunities. Lovett played his highest snap total (29) in coverage this season, recording his second-highest Pro Football Focus coverage grade with a 73.7. As a result of his strong coverage skills, the Crofton, Maryland native recorded his first career interception in the fourth quarter, returning it for 17 yards. Lovett also added six tackles, tied for the third-highest on the team, alongside true freshman cornerback Thomas Williams.

New Faces, New Opportunities
One of the most impactful benefits for a football program participating in a postseason bowl game is the chances available to younger players across the roster. Friday night against the Golden Gophers, numerous Hokies gained invaluable experience heading into 2025 and beyond. Student-athletes across the offense and defense were given opportunities to showcase their value to head coach Brent Pry and staff. Some young players who stood out on the offensive end are true freshmen wide receiver Keylen “Brodie” Adams and running back Tyler Mason. Adams displayed his speed on the boundary, recording a 47-yard rush in the fourth quarter while adding a 14-yard reception before halftime. Mason, on the other hand, led Tech's backfield with 33 rushing yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

Defensively, cornerbacks Braylon Johnson, Quentin Reddish and Joshua Clarke each saw game action, recording at least two tackles, with Johnson leading the trio with three of his own. True freshman safety Noah Jenkins, redshirt freshmen defensive lineman Josh Abbey and linebacker George Ballance also recorded tackles on the evening.