From the sidelines
By Marty Gordon
The Bristol Challenge three years ago pitted the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech in a most awaited football game. UT got the best of the Hokies in that one, but this weekend the tables were turned in a virtual championship played Sunday.
The second-ranked Hokies downed number one Tennessee in an EA Sports virtual thriller. The boys from Blacksburg brought a 12-1 record into the game against UT at 13-0. Both had picked up conference titles in the week leading up to the matchup.
Tech took the 49-29 win.
Following the game, the Virginia Tech athletic department had listed the virtual national championship on its twitter page and other social media.
I had always joked with former Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer about the trophy case he had sitting down the hall from his office that said “reserved for national championship trophy.”
Now, the school has one but on the virtual field where so many sports have turned to during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunday’s livestream included 120,000 viewers to watch the virtual contest. Barstool Sports has become famous for such matchups, and sponsored the event.
The game was played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Tennessee was coached by Coach Duggs, a persona of Gus Duggerton, who has gained popularity on the Twitch Channel Pardon My Take.
No surprise in this one as the Virginia Tech secondary dominated the Vols with six interceptions.
Dan Katz is the co-host to the podcast Pardon My Take, which totals one million followers on his Twitter page. During the pandemic, Katz started the virtual college football season that led to Sunday’s matchup.
In the midst of the season, real-life college programs, including Virginia Tech, started to pay attention to his Katz’ antics.
Celebrities became involved, and the end-result was Virginia Tech, coached by retired NFL coach Jeff Fisher, bringing home the trophy.
Virginia Tech’s lone loss, 17-13, came in week 10 against Boston College. The Hokies blanked UVa 30-0 before taking down number–two Clemson 49-35 in the ACC championship game.
Tennessee beat Ole Miss 35-28 for the Southeastern Conference title.
We can only dream, can’t we?
