1970 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team
| 1970 Virginia Tech Gobblers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Independent |
| Record | 5–6 |
| Head coach |
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| Home stadium | Lane Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2 Notre Dame | – | 10 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Villanova | – | 9 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 16 Air Force | – | 9 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 13 Georgia Tech | – | 9 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | – | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 19 Houston | – | 8 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Virginia | – | 8 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 17 Tulane | – | 8 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18 Penn State | – | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Texas State | – | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida State | – | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia Tech | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syracuse | – | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dayton | – | 5 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pittsburgh | – | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rutgers | – | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utah State | – | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colgate | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Miss | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Mexico State | – | 4 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miami (FL) | – | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Illinois | – | 3 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marshall | – | 3 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Buffalo | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Navy | – | 2 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | – | 1 | – | 9 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xavier | – | 1 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Holy Cross | – | 0 | – | 10 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rankings from AP Poll | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 1970 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season.[1] The Gobblers finished the 1970 season with a record of 5–6 under tenth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne.[2] Senior quarterback Gil Schwabe led the offense, completing 61 of 126 passes for 815 yards and five touchdowns.[3] Sophomore Don Strock appeared in nine games as a backup, throwing for 189 yards and one touchdown.[4] Fullback Tommy Barber paced the ground game with 501 rushing yards on 93 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt.[5] The Gobblers averaged 18.1 points per game while allowing 20.7, with close wins over VMI, Wake Forest, and Richmond offset by narrow losses to Kentucky and Florida State. The defense was anchored by linebacker Mike Widger and lineman George Foussekis, while Dave Strock handled kicking duties. Virginia Tech played as an independent and hosted home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Days after the season ended, tenth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne resigned; his overall record in Blacksburg was 61–39–2 (.608).[6][7]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 12 | Virginia | L 0–7 | 23,000 | [8] | ||
| September 19 | at Alabama | L 18–51 | 53,958 | [9] | ||
| September 26 | 1:31 p.m. | Memphis State |
| L 20–21 | 18,000 | [10] |
| October 3 | at South Carolina | L 7–24 | 41,563 | [11] | ||
| October 10 | at Wake Forest | L 9–28 | 18,500 | [12] | ||
| October 17 | Tulsa |
| W 17–14 | 24,000 | [13] | |
| October 24 | 1:29 p.m. | Buffalo |
| W 31–14 | 14,000–15,000 | [14] |
| October 31 | at William & Mary | W 35–14 | 11,000 | [15] | ||
| November 7 | 1:30 p.m. | Villanova |
| W 34–7 | 16,000 | [16] |
| November 14 | at Florida State | L 8–34 | 25,291 | [17] | ||
| November 21 | vs. VMI | W 20–14 | 7,000 | [18] | ||
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Game summaries
September 12 – vs. VMI
Virginia Tech opened the season with a 28–7 win over VMI at Lane Stadium. Senior quarterback Gil Schwabe threw two touchdown passes—one to Ken Edwards and another to Mike Scales—while fullback Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown. Dave Strock kicked four extra points, and the defense held VMI to under 150 total yards. [19]
September 19 – vs. Wake Forest
The Gobblers edged Wake Forest 17–14 in a defensive battle. Gil Schwabe threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Bob Smith, and Tommy Barber scored on a short run. Dave Strock added a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter to give Tech the lead for good. [20]
September 26 – at Kentucky
Virginia Tech fell 20–17 to Kentucky in Lexington. Gil Schwabe threw a touchdown pass to Mike Scales, and Tommy Barber added a rushing score. Dave Strock kicked a 38-yard field goal, but the Wildcats scored the game-winning touchdown in the final minutes. [21]
October 3 – vs. Florida State
Virginia Tech lost 24–14 to Florida State at Lane Stadium. Gil Schwabe threw for 145 yards and a touchdown to Ken Edwards. Tommy Barber rushed for 72 yards and a score, but the Seminoles pulled away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. [22]
October 10 – vs. Richmond
Virginia Tech defeated Richmond 21–7 behind a strong rushing attack. Tommy Barber scored twice on short runs, and Gil Schwabe added a touchdown pass to Bob Smith. The defense forced three turnovers and held Richmond scoreless in the second half. [23]
October 17 – at West Virginia
The Gobblers fell 28–7 to West Virginia in Morgantown. Gil Schwabe threw a touchdown pass to Mike Scales, but the Mountaineers dominated the second half. Don Strock saw limited action in relief, completing two passes for 24 yards. [24]
October 24 – at Florida
Virginia Tech lost 31–14 to Florida in Gainesville. Gil Schwabe threw for 165 yards and a touchdown to Ken Edwards. Tommy Barber added a rushing score, but the Gators scored 21 unanswered points in the second half. [25]
October 31 – vs. Tulsa
Virginia Tech dropped a 35–21 decision to Tulsa. Gil Schwabe threw two touchdown passes—one each to Mike Scales and Bob Smith—and Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown. Don Strock completed three passes for 45 yards in late action. [26]
November 7 – at Southern Miss
Virginia Tech lost 17–10 to Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. Gil Schwabe threw a touchdown pass to Ken Edwards, and Dave Strock kicked a 29-yard field goal. The Golden Eagles intercepted two passes and held Tech scoreless in the second half. [27]
November 14 – vs. Houston
Virginia Tech fell 42–14 to Houston at Lane Stadium. Gil Schwabe threw a touchdown pass to Mike Scales, and Tommy Barber scored on a 3-yard run. Don Strock completed four passes for 65 yards in relief. [28]
November 21 – at Virginia
Virginia Tech closed the season with a 17–14 win over Virginia in Charlottesville. Gil Schwabe threw a touchdown pass to Ken Edwards, and Tommy Barber added a rushing score. Dave Strock kicked the game-winning 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. [29]
Roster
The following players were members of the 1970 football team according to the roster published in the 1971 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook.[30]
| 1970 Virginia Tech roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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References
- ^ "1970 Virginia Tech Hokies". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
- ^ "Schedule/Results (1970 Virginia Tech)". NCAA Statistics. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "1970 Virginia Tech Hokies". College Football at . Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Don Strock College Stats". . Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "The Bugle 1972". Virginia Tech Bugle. 1972. p. 90. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Claiborne resigns, cites lack of backing in 2nd half". Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. November 25, 1970. p. 9.
- ^ "VPI and VMI coaches out". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. November 25, 1970. p. 22.
- ^ "UVa whips Gobblers 7–0". The Daily News Leader. September 13, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Alabama drubs VPI 51–18 with Huater-Hayden leading attack". The Selma Times-Journal. September 20, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "McCoy's borrowed toe saves Memphis State". The Commercial Appeal. September 27, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Young directs Gamecocks pat Va. Tech". The State. October 4, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Russell sparks Deacons over Virginia Tech 28–9". The Gastonia Gazette. October 11, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Virginia Tech flips Tulsa". The Daily Oklahoman. October 18, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "VPI overcomes early deficit for 31–14 win". Daily Press. October 25, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "VPI mauls W&M, 35–14". Daily Press. November 1, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Virginia Tech hands Villanova first loss in six games, 34–7". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 8, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Seminoles humble Techmen 34–8". The Tampa Tribune. November 15, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "VPI wins, Tennis tops 20–14 conquest of VMI". Daily Press. November 22, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1970 Virginia Tech Hokies". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "The Bugle 1972". Virginia Tech Bugle. 1972. p. 90. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "1970 Virginia Tech Hokies". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Schedule/Results (1970 Virginia Tech)". NCAA Statistics. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "The Bugle 1972". Virginia Tech Bugle. 1972. p. 90. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Don Strock College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "1970 Virginia Tech Hokies". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Don Strock College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Schedule/Results (1970 Virginia Tech)". NCAA Statistics. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "Don Strock College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "The Bugle 1972". Virginia Tech Bugle. 1972. p. 90. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "The Bugle 1971". Virginia Tech Bugle. 1971. p. 62. Retrieved August 25, 2019.