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.

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.