The 1970 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. The Gobblers finished the 1970 season with a record of 5âÂÂ6 under tenth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne. Senior quarterback Gil Schwabe led the offense, completing 61 of 126 passes for 815 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore Don Strock appeared in nine games as a backup, throwing for 189 yards and one touchdown. Fullback Tommy Barber paced the ground game with 501 rushing yards on 93 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. 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 .
Virginia Tech opened the season with a 28âÂÂ7 win over VMI at Lane Stadium. Senior quarterback Gil Schwabe threw two touchdown passesâÂÂone to Ken Edwards and another to Mike ScalesâÂÂwhile fullback Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown. Dave Strock kicked four extra points, and the defense held VMI to under 150 total yards.
The Gobblers edged Wake Forest 17âÂÂ14 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.
Virginia Tech fell 20âÂÂ17 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.
Virginia Tech lost 24âÂÂ14 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.
Virginia Tech defeated Richmond 21âÂÂ7 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.
The Gobblers fell 28âÂÂ7 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.
Virginia Tech lost 31âÂÂ14 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.
Virginia Tech dropped a 35âÂÂ21 decision to Tulsa. Gil Schwabe threw two touchdown passesâÂÂone each to Mike Scales and Bob SmithâÂÂand Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown. Don Strock completed three passes for 45 yards in late action.
Virginia Tech lost 17âÂÂ10 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.
Virginia Tech fell 42âÂÂ14 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.
Virginia Tech closed the season with a 17âÂÂ14 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.
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.