Until today, the Virginia Tech football program was the second winningest nationwide never to have played Notre Dame. Regardless of the result, history was to be made. Rallying from a massive 24-7 first half deficit, the Va Tech Hokies won a very spirited road contest 34-31 at Notre Dame Stadium to end the Fighting Irish postseason hopes.
Before the game, the Virginia Tech football team, along with Coach Justin Fuente, made it clear that their trip to South Bend would be all business, and this weekend’s visit was not going to focus on sightseeing at one of college football’s most sacred grounds.
After the game, Fuente did articulate how special it was to win in such a storied atmosphere.
“We continued to battle back in an absolutely beautiful environment. It was a really special celebration of college football,” he said.
“This is my first trip here. It’s everything that I had been led to believe it would be.”
Hokie nation was very well represented, and very loud. Fuente took notice:
“I want to thank Hokie Nation. It was a fantastic turnout,and they were loud and proud. They were a lot of fun to play for.“
It’s been a strange season for this Virginia Tech football team. All they have to do is beat in state rival Virginia and the ACC Coastal Division title is clinched. The Hokies thought they would cinch that last weekend at home against a very mediocre Georgia Tech side—but the Yellow Jackets ran for 309 yards and built a 30-7 lead before winning 30-20. Va Tech has been difficult to predict and assess as their league schedule didn’t include either of the big two: Clemson or Louisville.
Given that UVA is the runt of the ACC Coastal litter, they’ll likely get their shot at Clemson on December 3rd in Charlotte as the Tigers beat Louisville head to head. Va Tech will get almost certainly the chance to play spoiler in game where they will be heavy underdogs, and rightfully so.
The Hokies most noteworthy win was over a North Carolina team that was then ranked 16th and is currently tied with them atop the ACC Coastal standings. The Tar Heels have been out of the rankings all season long, but that Hokies win will prove to be this Virginia Tech team’s most meaningful victory of the season.
All in all, the transition from Frank Beamer to Justin Fuente has had its up and downs, but that’s to be expected with all regime changes. The results could have been better, but then again they could also have been much worse. They’ll probably be in the league title game, and that’s substantial, even though they play in the weaker division, and didn’t have to face either of the two heavyweights.
(On a side note, Bon Jovi was at this game, and on the field for pregame ceremonies)
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Fuente fully embraces the expectations of a Virginia Tech football coach. The Hokies currently have the nation’s longest bowl berth streak at 24 seasons.
“I think it’s understood that when you coach at Virginia Tech, you’re expected to compete! for Coastal Division championships. I think those kids know that, too.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.