Brent Pry Reflects on What Caused Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalty in Duke’s Mayo Bowl
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl has gained popularity over the years, but for Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry, there was plenty of frustration as his team lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers and he received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
After the game, Pry explained to the media that the penalty was a result of several missed calls and his desire to advocate fiercely for his team. “There were a few minor things early that I thought were missed,” Pry said. “Then, the back-to-back no calls—I didn’t understand that. We’re going to fight for every inch we can get. I thought a couple of calls were missed.”
Pry’s frustration stemmed from two missed defensive pass interference calls and a roughing the passer penalty in the second quarter. These no-calls cost Virginia Tech 45 penalty yards, and Pry voiced his displeasure with the officials, leading to his 15-yard penalty.
While Pry’s efforts to rally the team didn’t show up on the scoreboard, as the Hokies lost 24-10, they did have a cleaner game with just three penalties for 33 yards, compared to Minnesota’s five penalties for 25 yards. However, Virginia Tech was outgained 403 to 223 yards.
The loss left Virginia Tech with a 6-7 record on the season, marking the second losing season in three years under Pry. The team’s struggles likely contributed to his frustration, which led to a penalty he hadn’t earned in a while. “It’s been a while,” Pry said. “Not proud of it, but we’re going to fight for what we think is right.”
Pry now shifts his focus to the offseason and preparing Virginia Tech for the 2025 season, with the expectation that the Hokies will take a step forward in his fourth year at the helm.
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