Virginia Tech lost on the road to the Old Dominion for the second time in four years, losing 20-17 on Friday night.
Old Dominion fans flooded the field to celebrate their second victory over the Power 5 team. The first was in 2018 against the Hawkeyes, winning 49-35.
This wasn’t how Virginia Tech first-year head coach Brent Prye wanted to start the season. Most important was his 2:58 remaining in the game. Leading 17-13, quarterback Grant Wells threw an interception and he broke with 33 seconds remaining He stole a 1-yard touchdown from Watson on his run and set up the game-winning score. .
The Hokies also committed 15 penalties for 121 yards. Starting his first game at Virginia Tech, Wells threw four interceptions and went 21/36 for 197 yards in touchdowns.
“They wanted to play, they wanted to play hard, but I definitely think they were sloppy under pressure,” Prye said. “You want people to earn it, and we didn’t do it.”
Added linebacker Dax Holyfield: “It’s embarrassing. It’s so embarrassing.”
The road game with Group of 5 didn’t go particularly well for the ACC team that finally scheduled. With this loss, the league now has 20 road losses against his five-team group during the College Football Playoff era.
𝗪𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬!!!
1⃣-0⃣#ReignOn pic.twitter.com/OE5mRznZb6
— ODU Football (@ODUFootball) September 3, 2022
Neither offense could find their rhythm, and the game struggled from the beginning. Old Dominion led 10-7 at halftime. The Virginia Tech coaching staff was then stuck between floors in the elevator, delaying the start of the second half by 15 minutes. Eventually the coach was able to get off the elevator but had to run up six flights of stairs to the coach box.
It could be a good metaphor for the later developments. But this won’t be the last time the schools will see each other. They now plan to play every year through 2031, with his four games at Old Dominion.
