Terrapins Bowls Over Hokies at Yankee Stadium

 

 

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

 

 

It was clearly a pro Virginia Tech Hokies crowd when they faced the Maryland Terrapins at Yankee Stadium in the annual Pinstripe Bowl. Both teams finished their regular season with the same (6-6) record. Both teams took advantage of the Big Apple sightseeing landmarks and the Empire State Building lit up in the colors of both teams the night before the game.

 

Maryland kicked off to Virginia Tech and the Terps defense forced a 3 and out as Tech failed to convert a 3rd and 6 forcing a punt. The Hokies crowd was silenced after Terps Tarheed Still returned the punt 92 yards for the touchdown. It was the first time a punt was retuned for a touchdown in the history of the Pinstripe Bowl.

 

Virginia Tech responded on their next possession with the help of a jumpy Maryland defense. On 4th and 1, the Hokies jumped off sides giving Tech a first keeping the drive. A false start put Virginia in a 3rd and 12th situation and they could not convert the first down giving the ball back Maryland to begin their drive from their own 7-yard line. Neither team would score as the first quarter ended in a 7-0 Maryland lead. Virginia Tech did not convert any first downs.

 

 

 

 

The Hokies offense woke up the first time they got the ball in the second quarter although they had to settle for John Parker Romo 36-yard field goal. The big play saw quarterback Carter Blumrick completing a 42-yard pass to Jaden Payoute. It didn’t take long for Maryland to respond. 14 seconds to be exact. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (yes brother of Tua of the Miami Dolphins) connects on a 70 yards pass to Darryl Jones extending the lead to 14-3. 

 

The next time Maryland took possession they went 60 yards in 5 plays putting 7 more points on the board. It was set up by a spectacular one handed, lefthanded 28 yard catch by Brian Cobbs along the left sideline. Antwan Littleton ran it in from 4-yards out on the very next play increasing the lead to 21-3.  

 

The Hokies finally got into the end zone as the second quarter was winding down. 13 plays and 75 yards later, Blumrick connects with Malachi Thomas for 34 yards to the Maryland 4. Blumrick runs it in from 3-yards out shrinking the lead to 21-10. 

Maryland did not settle with a little less than a minute to go in the half. Tagovailoa completed all 5 pass attempts and watched Joseph Petrine kick a 44-yard field goal (24-10) as time expired.

 

Maryland didn’t let up in the second half leading to a 54-10 rout. The offense scoring 3 touchdowns (passing and rushing) and the defense scooped up a fumble for another score. Tagovailoa finished his day completing 20 of 24 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

Jones caught 4 passes for 111 yards. Said Tagovailoa after the game, “coming into this game, we knew what was at stake. It means a lot to our Maryland family, our fans. They have been waiting a long time to have a winning season and make bowl games. I know it’s hard to stay patient and stuff like that but we feel like the best is ahead.” 

 

Virginia Tech went into the game with back-ups as starting players are looking to transfer or decided to put their names in next year’s NFL draft. Interim head coach J.C. Price was coaching his last game and former defensive coordinator Brent Pry will take over next year. Pry will be associate head coach and defensive coach when the team takes the field next year.