'Yikes!' Republican gov candidate sparks mockery after mixing up rival universities

Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears committed a major faux pas while giving a speech about Virginia Tech alongside incumbent Gov. Glenn Youngkin, appearing to confuse them with their main football rival, the University of Virginia.

"We're talking about Tech, by the way; saw the game this past Friday - go 'Hoos!" she said — referencing the sports cry of the UVA Cavaliers, rather than the Virginia Tech Hokies.

It didn't take long for local commenters to notice the mistake, first posted by the Blue Virginia blog, and heap mockery on Earle-Sears, who has reportedly left Republicans throughout the state infuriated with her absentee campaign that has even ditched some of her own campaign stops.

"WATCH: @winwithwinsome mixes up @virginia_tech with @UVA. Brutal…" wrote the campaign account for Earle-Sears' Democratic opponent, former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger.

"Oh my God," wrote Richmond-based election forecaster and State Navigate president Chaz Nuttycombe, who is himself a Virginia Tech alumnus.

"Yikes," wrote elections podcaster Sam Shirazi. "Virginia Tech and UVA are big rivals; ‘Hoos are a nickname used by UVA fans; might cause a HD-41 ratings change (kidding)."

"Calling Virginia Tech the 'Hoos' or vice versa is fighting words where I come from — she ain't qualified to be Governor if she can't keep that straight," wrote Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell.