Kentucky punches out Hokies in bowl game
By Marty Gordon
The year did not end the way the Virginia Tech football team had hoped. So much fell short in the Belk Bowl this past week. Not only did we say goodbye to longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster, we also had to wonder what if.
What if Hendon Hooker had begun the season as the Hokie starting quarterback. What if defensive back Caleb Farley had been able to play in the bowl game. What if, players would have been suspended for the pre-game set-to. What if the television announcers were not so much Pro-Southeastern Conference.
That is a lot of things to let settle. But the bottom line was that the defense could not stop the Kentucky quarterback before the game or during.
I honestly believe there should have been some penalties because of the pregame ruckus. At least the Kentucky player issued an apology after the game. Was it too late? Maybe.
But this is competition, and sometimes there is a lot of trash talk. It just shouldn’t have gotten physical as the player pushed not only a Virginia Tech coach but also one of his own team’s assistants.
Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock seemed more upset than anyone about the matter, and he should be saluted. There is no place in college athletics for this type of behavior.
Lynn Bowden did not make the right decision off the field, but he did on the field as he accounted for two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown and 306 yards of total offense to give the Wildcats the victory.
The good news is the Hokies will return every starter, barring those leaving early for the NFL, on offense. The same is true on defense except for one senior. There has been plenty of talk that several players will enter the transfer portal and look to play elsewhere, but for the most part, Virginia Tech will return a very experienced roster next season.
The team should be heavy favorites to win ten games in 2020 and have a good shot at another ACC Coastal Division title.
The bowl game loss is history, and it gives Coach Justin Fuente and his staff something to build on. Plenty of changes lie in front of that staff with several new people in new roles. The biggest will be Justin Hamilton taking over for Foster.
This is an opportunity to continue the “lunch pail” mentality while bringing a fresh approach for the defense.
Fuente still needs to fill some holes on his staff, and this will be a big step for him as he finally has complete control over the film room.
