Hokies defeat Hoos to clinch Bowl birth

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Pop Watson threw for 254 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a score to lead Virginia Tech to a 37-17 victory over rival Virginia on Saturday.

Bhayshul Tuten added 124 yards rushing and two scores for the Hokies (6-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who snapped a three-game losing streak. The Hokies also became bowl eligible for the second straight year with the victory.

“It does point to the growth and development and the resiliency,” Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry said of the pending bowl invitation. “More than anything, I’m just happy for this group to get this victory tonight. It was a hard-fought game, and we played well in all three phases, which we need to see. We have to be that kind of team, and we did it with a third-team quarterback.”

Virginia (5-7, 3-5) lost to Virginia Tech for the fourth straight time and for the 22nd time in the past 24 meetings.

With Virginia Tech’s top two quarterbacks, Kyron Drones and Collin Schlee, injured, Watson made his first career start and led the Hokies on four first-half scoring drives.

The Hokies jumped out to a 10-0 lead, getting a 6-yard touchdown run from Tuten and a field goal from John Love on their first two possessions. They then scored 10 points in the final two minutes of the first half, getting a 66-yard scoring strike from Watson to Jaylin Lane and then closing the half with another field goal from Love to take a 20-3 lead.