If you could change one moment in Virginia Tech Fooball
Over the last 20 years what would it be?
A. Marcus doesn’t get booted and plays the 06’ season
B. Frank doesn’t pull Tyrod’s shirt in 07’ and 08’ and plays the 2011 season (you most likely give up our 2 b2b ACC titles)
C. Jerrod Evans stays for 2017 season and because of that Ford and Bucky stay too
D. Covid never happens and we see what that 2020 team had for us
** Edited by thewhofartedlook at 8/14/2025, 8:37:47 PM
87 Replies
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
Why is THAT not on the list? If practically ANY play in the last 4 min changes, VT wins. And that would have put VT in the national championship game that year, ultimately, That was the most painful game in VT history. Rest of these are "so what" moments in comparison.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by VToncologyNurse)
S
Stech
11mo
more year of Tyrod would have been fantastic for both Virginia Tech and Tyrod. Tyrod like Ronald Curry who also didn’t Red Shirt got the injury bug. That one year of putting muscle on the body without hits on the body matters a lot. It’s not just in football, but because of violent hits in football, it makes a big difference.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
The FSU 4th down conversion - a stop there and I think we run away with it. That play is more haunting than any horror movie I’ve ever watched.
The Matty Ice TD - probably back in the NC game but that team wasn’t as good as ‘99.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
Understandably everyone thinks of the offensive PI but I wonder if Reggie Bush could have been held in check if Adibi was healthy the whole game. Might have changed some of the outcomes the rest of the season too.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
Don't remember who the hell we were playing?
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
No proof, but it jives with his character. He looked and played like a true freshman QB, never playing a college game in his life. It was so bad it almost looked intentional.
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
11mo
not called, we could have scored and won that game....
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
Win that Pitt game and ‘03 could have had totally different finish.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
To go their way late in a game that leads to a win
Somewhere there’s a pic of Jalen Hudson getting mauled by Duke players on what would’ve been a game winner
Last year’s Miami overturn
The Danny Coale game
The entire first quarter of the ACCCG vs Clemson in 2016
The fumble we got vs UK in the Belk bowl that no ref saw and wasn’t reviewed
The overturn of Bre Peck’s run vs Bama in softball regionals
Sigh… but it’s just me I guess
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
11mo
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
11mo
that game without that effed up call which would have changed the perception if not reality we fold like chairs on the big stage games.
(In response to this post by st_andrew)
11mo
... sure would have to see it play out.
We were ahead at that point, if I remember correctly. The play that was called back had gained a lot of yards. I could easily see us, with that momentum, score again, putting us up 2 scores.
(In response to this post by 91HokieBob)
11mo
We led 10-7; the play put us in FG range at minimum but it was deep in USC territory. Instead we punted from our own 20, and 3 plays later Reggie Bush gave them the lead on a pass play
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
11mo
Bush in check in the second half because VT was poised to score a TD on that drive.
(In response to this post by 91HokieBob)
11mo
want that change b/c by all accounts Fuente was a home run hire, but what if . . . ? Where would be today? Of course, if Bud sucked, how would Whit fire him? Interesting to ponder . . .
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
I say we stop FSU when they went for it on 4th and 2 in their territory early in the 4th quarter. We had taken all the momentum in that game, and if we stop them on that 4th and 2, I think it's lights out for them. Kudos to Bobby Bowden for having the cajones to go for it there.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
the problem was he turned the wrong way (left) coming out from under center. If he turns right like he was supposed to, he either walks into the end zone or pitches to Kendrick who walks in.
(In response to this post by Diehard Hokie)
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
I think any of those 3 would have likely significantly changed the arc of VT football like no others.
(In response to this post by Diehard Hokie)
11mo
that ended up in a VT FG when it should have been a first and goal. I can't remember what quarter that was, but Vick got drilled a good 2-3 yards OOB on a third down play.
(In response to this post by Diehard Hokie)
11mo
We’d have tied it with next TD and taken lead by 7 instead of 1
We went for 2 twice and failed…if we’d been kicking XP instead it’d have been 35-28 VT
(In response to this post by reestuart)
11mo
the 4th quarter, but there were a couple of huge spots that would have made it a lot more interesting in the end.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
11mo
thinking it was an incomplete pass instead of a lateral. He goes after that and scoop and scores?
(In response to this post by reestuart)
11mo
2 different spots. Sorry. All of this is kind of depressing . . .
(In response to this post by reestuart)
11mo
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
11mo
Would have been interesting to see if we would have played for another national title.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
them in the ACC title game though.
(In response to this post by ForgeHokie)
P
PWR2LZ
11mo
most of it...
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
11mo
In 2021
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
Pitt still steamrolled us but we are probably top 10 at that point.we prob finish with 9+ wins. Fuente survives season, 2022 disaster never happens, etc.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
11mo
Go better/if we were in contention at that point
(In response to this post by st_andrew)
11mo
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
11mo
of a pick that ended it? Would we have held? Don't know but if we're limited to one moment, that's my pick.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
I didn't agree but was ok with going for 2 initially, but hated it after the penalty.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by Fore_Hokies)
11mo
time, I think it is that game, when Corey Moore batted a screen pass but thought it was incomplete instead of a fumble. If he chases that and turns it into a TD?
(In response to this post by great2bahokie)
11mo
ball at around the 10 or so yard line, IIRC.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
11mo
the 2-pt conversion pass in 2001 game against #1 Miami to tie the game late in the 4th Quarter.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
in the last 20 years that is significant enough to alter VT's trajectory. For those types of changes, people should look to the late '90s through early '00s during VT's "window of opportunity."
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
11mo
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
11mo
as say a Sugar Bowl win over Auburn because there is enough evidence out there to support the idea that neither team really deserved to play in the game. At least in terms of the time and energy that would be required to alter the timeline, that Sugar Bowl game probably wouldn't be near the top of the list because other games could have a potentially bigger impact.
(In response to this post by HoakieBS)
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
K
KCHokie2
11mo
Although preventing the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand should probably come first.
** Edited by KCHokie2 at 8/15/2025, 2:38:10 AM
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
Aside from the others suggested below, my other submissions would be:
-2001 vs. Miami: Ernest Wilford catches the two-point conversion pass
-Jan. 2005 vs. Auburn in Sugar Bowl: Jesse Allen doesn't drop a touchdown pass on 4th and goal
-2006 vs. UGA in Chick-fil-A Bowl: VT doesn't attempt an onside kick to begin the second half (or was it UGA that attempted the onside kick and caught VT sleeping? My memory is a bit fuzzy on this, but I remember something unusual happening to start the second half, which seemed to shift the momentum)
-2007 vs. BC: Josh Morgan recovers the onside kick after BC's first score late in the 4th quarter
-Jan. 2012 vs. Michigan in Sugar Bowl: VT doesn't attempt a fake punt late in the game (or, Ryan Williams doesn't run backwards and lose ~20 yards and take VT out of field goal range. *I think...my memory is a little fuzzy on this specific play, also*)
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by MP4VT2004)
J
jecvtmgr
11mo
I am a glutton for punishment. It was a comedy of errors however if J. Morgan doesn't drop a wide open touchdown and we don't give up a punt return TD. We go on to play PSU in the Orange and the Louisville foot stomp never happens. Bringing MV2 back for 2006 (who's to say he doesn't get into some other trouble and gets kicked off anyways). But it would of be nice having him instead of Glennon on the 06 team. That game was the genesis of the future big let down games.
Having Jerod back in 2017 is a close 2nd.
** Edited by jecvtmgr at 8/14/2025, 11:22:56 PM
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
11mo
January 4, 2000 national championship game. We kick a field goal on our first drive/possession instead of Michael Vick fumbling through the end zone on 4th and goal. Starting with a lead might have made a huge difference. And that game represents the biggest missed opportunity in the history of our program.
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
P
PWR2LZ
11mo
long, low percentage-completion pass heaved down field for an incompletion. All we needed was a first down conversion to maintain possession and either run out the clock or punt with a lot less time for Boise State to score. We win that game and its likely we don't lose the next week against JMU (theoretically musing of course.) Now it also didn't help that we didn't score in the first quarter, but that's another story...
(In response to this post by Hokie Fiji)
11mo
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)
11mo
decision for the team to do the 4-5 (maybe 6) hour bus ride back to Blacksburg instead of flying to a nearby airport and taking a shorter bus ride home. I mention this because the team didn't arrive back in Blacksburg until sometime between 5-6am Tuesday morning. The players were expected to go to class and practice that day which likely meant Tuesday's practice was basically a wasted day. VT really only had Wednesday and Thursday to practice for the JMU game because Friday would still have been the hotel day.
If VT had won the Boise State game, then it would have been interesting to see if VT would have still came out sluggish against JMU or not. The only other team that comes to mind in a similar situation as VT is the year FSU played Miami on Monday night and then Jacksonville State the following Saturday. FSU beat Miami and then barely beat Jacksonville State 19-9 in 2009. Jacksonville State was leading 9-7 late in the 4th Quarter until FSU scored a TD with 0:35 to go in the game. Then FSU scored again with 0:21 to go in the game when Jacksonville State fumbled the ball (scoop and score).
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)
11mo
I think one of Stiney's weaknesses was lack of situational awareness. He was more keyed into defensive alignments. What that means is that Boise State lined up a certain way, and VT was coached to chuck the ball down the field when the defense was aligned that way, situation be damned.
The Boise State staff knew this, and they knew that in a critical moment in the game, when VT needed just a few yards to get a first down, they could bait Stiney's offense into launching it 30-40 yards downfield just by aligning a certain way. So they did, and VT bit on it.
That was a long time ago, but that's what I remember @Raleigh Hokie writing in his post-game analysis. (I'm in a rush and currently don't have the time to look it up.)
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)
11mo
He could be baited into certain things when the defense gave certain looks. Happened in the Kansas game as well.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
V
VTCALS72
11mo
was a pre meditated move to take the opening kickoff no matter what. That was pure choice. Have you looked at that inc pass enough to know if there was a short route open or semi open that was better than a throw away?
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)
P
PWR2LZ
11mo
seeing it transpire in person.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
11mo
a clear path to the kicker....punter shoulda called a TO
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
E
EDGEMAN
11mo
...it might have turned out differently.
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)
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jecvtmgr
11mo
Ran a designed run for TT that lost 2. Leaving 3rd and 6. Then 20 yard go route that had no chance. I think we all knew how the rest was going to go when BSU got the ball back
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)
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jecvtmgr
11mo
(In response to this post by thewhofartedlook)
11mo
Not falling behind 17-0 would’ve been nice too
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)