 The 1980 Peach Bowl victory is sometimes cited as the turning point in the Miami football program , as the Hurricanes went 9 – 2 and 7 – 4 over the next two season before participating in the 1984 Orange Bowl , the championship game of the 1983 college football season . Tech also participated in a 1984 bowl game ; the 1984 Independence Bowl , which followed the 1984 college football season . The Hokies did not win a bowl game until the 1986 Peach Bowl ; however , the game had lasting effects on Virginia Tech 's football recruiting efforts . Eventual star players Bruce Smith and Jesse Penn signed letters of intent with Virginia Tech following the game . 
 The 1980 Peach Bowl victory is sometimes cited as the turning point in the Miami football program , as the Hurricanes<a href='been_done' title='1'><mark></mark></a> went 9 – 2 and 7 – 4 over the next two season before participating in the 1984 Orange Bowl , the championship game of the 1983 college football season . Tech also participated in a 1984 bowl game ; the 1984 Independence Bowl , which followed the 1984 college football season . The Hokies did not win <a href='None' title='2'><mark>a</mark></a>bowl <a href='negative_concord' title='3'><mark>game</mark></a> until the 1986 Peach Bowl ; however , the game had lasting effects on Virginia Tech <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>football recruiting efforts . Eventual star players Bruce Smith and Jesse Penn signed letters of intent with Virginia Tech following the game . 
Da 1980 Peach Bowl victory is sometimes cited as the turning point in tdaMiami football program , as the Hurricanes been went 9 – 2 and 7 – 4 ova the next 2 season b4 participating in the 1984 Orange Bowl , thdahampionship game of the 1983 college football season . Tech also participated in a 1984 bowl game ; the 1984 Independence Bowl , which followed the 1984 college football season . The Hokies did not win bowl no game until the 1986 Peach Bowl ; however , the game had lasting effects on Virginia Tech  football recruiting efforts . Eventual star players Bruce Smith and Jesse Penn signed letters of intent with Virginia Tech following the game .