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Report: Some Virginia Tech players wanted to lose season finale to avoid bowl game
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Just when you thought college football couldn’t possibly get any weirder, one of the strangest stories trickled out of Blacksburg.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated, players on Virginia Tech’s 2018 team were actually hoping to lose the season finale against Marshall to avoid having to play in a bowl game. Several players were encouraging teammates to throw the game.
Losing to Marshall in the final game of the year would’ve resulted in a 5-7 season for the Hokies, eliminating them from bowl eligibility.
“Do not catch a touchdown,” one Hokie said, according to Tre Turner, a freshman receiver on VT last season. ” If you catch a touchdown, I’m going to have to fight you.”
Another teammate was heard saying, “Well, if we lose we can go home early and don’t have to go to a bowl game.”
Doesn’t quite sound like everyone is on board with Justin Fuente’s mission in Blacksburg, which usually isn’t a good sign.
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Virginia Tech did defeat Marshall 41-20 and finished the regular season 6-6 and played in the Military Bowl against Cincinnati. The Hokies fell 35-31 to the Bearcats.
So, in the end, the Hokies did get that seventh loss some were hoping to add to the record. It just came a week later than some would’ve liked, apparently.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB