(Andrew Single)
A weekend Hokies and Hoos alike look forward to all season, the Smithfield Commonwealth Cup is the traditional Virginia Tech vs University of Virginia football game, played during NCAA football rivalry week. This game was one with a lot riding on it: not only did we want to keep our claim to the Commonwealth Cup Trophy, but winning this game meant the Hokies would be bowl-eligible.
Coming back from Thanksgiving break, Marching Virginians traveled via bus, car, and even plane to reconvene in Charlottesville for the game. As we suited up in our uniforms, the energy on the buses was electric; this specific football game between the two universities goes back to October 5, 1895. Luckily, the Hokies have won 18 of the last 19 games, so the MVs went in incredibly hopeful that the team would secure another win.
The band got into Scott Stadium half an hour before kickoff, setting up and getting ready for the game. Once the game kicked off, it was otherworldly.
(Andrew Single)
The Hokies football team immediately took the lead, with a field goal five minutes into the game, putting us on the board. Offensive players such as quarterback Kyron Drones, wide receiver Stephen Gosnell, and running back Bhaysul Tuten took to widening the gap throughout the first half, ending at 24-0. The band played stand tune after stand tune, celebrating all the points with a resounding chorus of Tech Triumph. Playing and singing the band’s favorite spirit spots continued to motivate the team, who played some of the best football seen all season. While Virginia had the ball, the defensive linemen truly exhibited the famous “Lunch Pail Defense,” amounting to many tackles for loss and six sacks total, three of which were consecutive. An interception from Mansoor Delane right before halftime had all the Hokies in the crowd cheering, many knowing from that point that the game had been won.
Halftime included an amazing performance from the Cavalier Marching Band, with tunes such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” for all of Scott Stadium to enjoy. It was so amazing to be able to watch another wonderful marching band’s performance.
(Andrew Single)
The game resumed with an 84-yard pass from Drones to Felton for a touchdown, the score being 31-0. After this, Virginia got on the board with a field goal, but the MVs still knew that the Hokies were taking it home. With a final touchdown from Malachi Thomas, the game ended 55-17, the highest number of points ever scored by a team in Commonwealth Cup history. The band kept Hokie spirits alive, with fans in the section singing along to familiar stand tunes.
This game was one for the books, with it being Brent Pry’s first Commonwealth Cup game. Graduating seniors got to see one last win against UVA before they close out their careers as Marching Virginians. With this closing out the regular season, the band is bursting with excitement to find out where the Hokies are going bowling.