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Groundskeeper issues mea culpa after sprinkler incident in rivalry game
By Mark Kern
Published:
In one of the funnier stories of the day, Virginia Tech came back out to the field celebrate their 55-17 win at rival Virginia on Saturday.
They were getting their picture taken when the sprinklers came on in what felt like a rivalry prank gone bad. However, the groundkeeper at Virginia, Jesse Pritchard, let it be known on social media that this was an accident.
I messed up. The automatic irrigation system came on just as it is scheduled to do so after every game. No other team in my 19 seasons as Sports Field Manager have ever come back from the locker room 30-45 minutes after the game ended to take a photo on the midfield logo.
— Jesse Pritchard (@HoosTurf) November 26, 2023
“I messed up,” Pritchard said on X. “The automatic irrigation system came on just as it is scheduled to do so after every game. No other team in my 19 seasons as Sports Field Manager have ever comeback from the locker room 3-45 minutes after the game ended to take a photo on the midfield logo.”
Rivalries are amazing!
Coach Pry brought his team back on the field to take a picture following the 55-17 win over UVA.
Virginia turned the sprinklers on the Scott Stadium field.
Beautiful! pic.twitter.com/KzfgrBIsYB
— Bill Roth (@BillRoth2020) November 26, 2023
The Hokies were in control from the outset, and got a huge game from running back Bhayshul Tuten. He finished with 16 carries, 117 yards and 1 touchdown. Not only was he a force running the ball, he took back a kick-off 94 yards for a touchdown.
This was the 18th win in 19 games in the rivalry for the Hokies, and made the team bowl eligible with the win.
The Cavaliers finish the 2023 season with a record of 3-9, while the Hokies are now 6-6.
