If you know Pop, you know that he’s one of the most confident guys in the world,” Jaylin Lane said. “So we have the utmost confidence in him. … There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to play like did.

Pop Watson threw for 254 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a score to lead Virginia Tech to a 37-17 victory over rival Virginia on Saturday.

As first reported by Pete Thamel of ESPN, Virginia Tech is expected to start redshirt freshman quarterback Pop Watson in the rivalry matchup against Virginia. C

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech’s third-string quarterback proved good enough to down rival Virginia for a fourth straight year. Redshirt freshman Pop Watson made his first college start a memorable one, leading the Hokies to a 37-17 win over Virginia to retain the Commonwealth Cup and make Virginia Tech bowl eligible for a second straight season.

Watson was a three-year captain at Springfield Central High School and led the program to state championship wins in 2019 and 2021.

The Virginia Tech Hokies are 20 minutes away from becoming bowl-eligible and defeating the Virginia Cavaliers again. Tech leads UVA 20-3 at halftime in the annual battle for the Commonwealth Cup. Redshirt freshman quarterback William “Pop” Watson made his first career college start and looked like a seasoned veteran.

Making his first start at quarterback, William "Pop" Watson III threw for 254 yards and a touchdown Saturday night as Virginia Tech stopped in-state rival Virginia 37-17 in Blacksburg to

Rushing Game At the end of the first quarter, the Hokies ran for 69 yards. Quarterback Pop Watson and running back Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 59 yards and one

Virginia Tech is once again bowl eligible, after the Hokies decimated Virginia, 37-17, at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.Hokies third-string QB Pop Watson delivered