NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL: VIRGINIA TECH VS MARYLAND

December 29, 2021

Connor Blumrick

Nick Gallo

Yankee Stadium

Virginia Tech Hokies

Press Conference

Maryland 54, Virginia Tech 10

Q. Connor, it seemed like they had kind of locked up the middle and were really focused on stopping the designed runs. Did you get a feel that that's kind of what they were aiming to do with you guys?

CONNOR BLUMRICK: Yeah. Coach came up to me after the game and told me that's exactly what they were trying to do.

Q. Nick, you guys cut it to 21-10, I think, there right before halftime, and then they kick a field goal, and it kind of got out of hand in the third quarter. Do you guys feel like you were in it there in the second quarter for a little bit?

NICK GALLO: Yeah, I don't think you ever have the mentality that you are out of it. We came into halftime. I think we felt good. Then just a couple of plays didn't go our way and kind of got out of hand.

Q. This is for Connor. This is one of your first starts in a bowl game. What are some of your takes from the game as well as experience in the Pinstripe Bowl?

CONNOR BLUMRICK: The whole experience is awesome. This was my first time in New York. The people running the bowl did a great job. We all had a great time. And as far as the game goes, I mean, playing at Yankee Stadium is pretty special. Not a lot of people say they can do that, so I really have enjoyed it.

Q. I saw there was a couple of throws throughout the game that were -- I want to say they were a little bit overthrows. Credit that to Maryland's defense, but what are some ways you can improve on that?

CONNOR BLUMRICK: Just making a better throw.

Q. Connor, you and Nick connected four times. You guys in the first half had a balanced offense. You had over 100 yards passing. What did Maryland do in that second half to slow you guys down?

NICK GALLO: I don't really know, I guess.

CONNOR BLUMRICK: They just made adjustments. We make adjustments. They make adjustments. They kind of figured out what we were trying to do, and it didn't really go our way the second half.

Q. Two for Connor. How much did the personnel that was out of the game in terms of you were down even two more receivers today with Da'Wain Lofton out and Kaleb Smith, kind of, limits you guys vertically down the field?

CONNOR BLUMRICK: It's always rough when you are missing your starters, your first and second string, but the young guys did a good job. They got in there. They did what they were supposed to do. Just really didn't go our way.

Q. Then for you, have you thought about your future and what this holds? You get your first career start. Are you intent on coming back or --

CONNOR BLUMRICK: Yeah, I'll be back.

Q. Question for both of you guys. This whole experience, playing in a bowl game through a pandemic, overcoming adversity. What's the biggest thing -- enjoying New York, playing in Yankee Stadium. What's the biggest thing you're going to take away through this whole experience?

NICK GALLO: Biggest thing for me for just having more time with the team. Getting that sixth win versus UVA just means you can spend more time with your friends for another month, which is huge, and then to come up here to New York and you get to do a lot of cool things with your friends, with the team. That was my favorite part about it.

CONNOR BLUMRICK: Yeah, same. This is my first time in New York, so getting to do that with all my best friends was really special.