Virginia Tech finally gets it right on third trip to Atlanta
On their third try, Tyrod Taylor and Virginia Tech finally won a football game in Atlanta on Thursday.
Having lost to Alabama in its season opener in the Georgia Dome, then returning here following a five-game winning streak, only to get dropped this time by Georgia Tech, it’s safe to assume that whole burning Atlanta thing must have passed through somebody’s head at Virginia Tech. If not several heads.
But alas, the Chamber of Commerce can breathe easier today. They didn’t lose Blacksburg.
“If we lost tonight, we weren’t coming back,” coach Frank Beamer cracked.
Gaining some measure of superiority for the ACC over the SEC — at least for one night — Virginia Tech belted Tennessee, 37-14, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The result accomplished two things: 1) It will keep Tennessee out of the top-25 rankings, thereby minimizing any gloating by coach Lane Kiffin (hey, go with it); 2) It almost certainly will push Virginia Tech (10-3) into a top 10 finish. Beamer can only imagine what might’ve been this season, if Hartsfield Airport hadn’t been such a gateway to Hades for them.
It’s a wonder Virginia Tech didn’t pass on the invitation to return to Atlanta. The Hokies basically were eliminated from the national championship race in the season opener when they lost to Alabama, 34-24, in the Georgia Dome. They won their next five, but then came back to Atlanta and lost to Georgia Tech, 28-23.
Equally surprising was that when Virginia Tech accepted the bid, their fans didn’t mind coming back. The school’s allotment of 17,500 tickets disappeared in like seven seconds. When you consider the number that came down for the Alabama game and the small allotment that sold for the Georgia Tech game, bowl president Gary Stokan estimates 53,000 fans traveled to Atlanta this season.
“People thought we were crazy for inviting them back,” Stokan said.
Actually, it’s stunning how popular this game has become. This was the 13th straight sellout. Next year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl somehow is already only 3,000 tickets short of a sellout, and the teams haven’t even been announced yet.
Think about it. If Stokan was really evil, he could pit Vanderbilt against Duke next year just for chuckles. Of course, then he’d probably be out of a job. Or a sponsor.
This bowl has come a long way since its days as the Peach Bowl in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. One miserable reminder: The 1985 game between Army and Illinois was played in rain and mud and conditions so dreadful that even Dick Bestwick, then the Peach Bowl’s executive director, said: “The bowl can’t exist status quo. If things go as they have, I would question its reason for existence.” And he was the guy who was selling the thing.
Its current incarnation might be the greatest remainder of what the college bowl season used to be about: Good teams. Intriguing match-ups. Happy and content fans who viewed college football’s post-season as a reward, not an aggravating and illogical exercise in futility (read: BCS).
Virginia Tech? Sure, they’d come back. Georgia fans watched what they’re missing: Bud Foster’s defense. The Hokies held the Vols to five yards rushing, 240 total yards and shut them out in the second half. They also sacked Jonathan Crompton six times.
Tech jumped to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter on two touchdown runs set by freshman Ryan Williams (one set up by an interception). Tennessee scored the next two touchdowns to tie it. The first on a four-yard touchdown run by Montario Hardesty, which capped an 80-yard drive. The second was a two-yard pass from Crompton to Denarius Moore.
Noteworthy about the second touchdown is it was set up by an interception by Janzen Jackson, a member of Tennessee’s Convenience Store Holdup Trio. Two other players were kicked off the team. Jackson was reinstated, I think because Kiffin determined he believed they were just going to an after-hours library.
Back to the game: The turning point came immediately following the Vols’ second touchdown. Virginia Tech began a possession with 18 seconds left in the half. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed a 63-yard pass to split end Jarrett Boykin to the Vols’ 4-yard-line. The clock ticked down to zero. All of the Tennessee players left the field. But officials put two seconds back on the clock after checking replays, and the Vols were forced to come back out and watch Virginia Tech kick a gimme field goal, making it 17-14.
That was it. Virginia Tech scored 20 consecutive points in the second half. Suddenly, Atlanta wasn’t such a bad place.
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259 comments Add your comment
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:22 am
Yer Dern Tootin Mark!
Pen Ishuge
January 1st, 2010
12:23 am
Blake Mitchell for Heisman!
Vince Dooley
January 1st, 2010
12:23 am
my language used to be a little better before I started coaching UGA…..I apologize for that…. I would of taken the Tech job if it was open…..
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:27 am
Outside…. there are some on our side and some on yours, and one week out of the year there is good old fashion hate…….just the way it should be..dont you think?
Fred
January 1st, 2010
12:27 am
Did everybody see Kiffin shake Beemer’s hand? Kiffin has no class, just like his team, and I was pulling for the Vols al the way. What a disappointment.
flagboy?
January 1st, 2010
12:28 am
And i’m sure they would have been happy to have you Vince.
apology accepted.
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:30 am
Vince, are you ok? need to go to bed now ?
Pen Ishuge
January 1st, 2010
12:33 am
The Falcons WILL go 9-7. Book it!
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:33 am
Yeh Fred I saw it ,pretty sad, bad for college football
hind tit
January 1st, 2010
12:33 am
anybody see why bud fosters name was the number one choice?
outsider
January 1st, 2010
12:35 am
Red Dog, you are correct. That week is gone, so I will look foward to next year.
Between now and then, go Bull Jackets.
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:35 am
Pen, the Falcons play Tampa Bay Sunday, I still think you need to go to bed
Security question
January 1st, 2010
12:40 am
With what happened with the underwear bomber a few days ago, how were the Hokies able to smuggle a can of whupa$$ by airport security?
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:40 am
Outside…Yer dern tootin, there is alot more to life than some of the crap you read on these blogs. My pleasure meeting a gentleman college football fan
outsider
January 1st, 2010
12:45 am
To all the UGA fans and G.T. fans happy new year. Here’s hoping that we are number one and two and play each other next year. How sweet is that?
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:46 am
I think Pen finally passed out, goodnight Pen
Vince Dooley
January 1st, 2010
12:47 am
I might need a nap, but at least I could still beat that guy that got that award named after him….Bobby Dodd….(yes I know that there where two great Tech coaches with awards named after them) but I could beat that Bobby Dodd I tell ya (only because he has passed away) but I’m a good coach too……..where’s my award??????
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:53 am
Well I guess now that Pen has gone to bed, we are all safe to turn in. Goodnight to all of you good football fans, whatever your ilk, and have a safe and profitable New Year!
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:55 am
Vince, I thought I told you and Pen to go to bed, now go!
hind tit
January 1st, 2010
12:56 am
i still say it’s ta coondog’s fault.
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
12:56 am
Dadgum younguns
Vince Dooley
January 1st, 2010
12:58 am
this aint my first rodeo…..I drink my whiskey clear……
hind tit
January 1st, 2010
12:59 am
anybody wanta fatback sandwich?
Chickamauga Dawg
January 1st, 2010
1:00 am
It’s been apparent all season that Kiffin is a spoiled brat and it really showed tonight as he didn’t even look Coach Beemer in the eye at the end of the game. No class at all. Not a good showing for our SEC. Hope he is history soon. What a low life.
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
1:00 am
Alright, Hind, you Vince, and Pen, get to bed dadgummitt 1…..2……
mayor bob
January 1st, 2010
1:01 am
Lane Kiffin..is a PUNK!…UT has a coach that is embarrassing to the game… the honor…. and respect of the great SEC…
Richt…we better never…never..lose to this disgrace again…
mayor bob
January 1st, 2010
1:01 am
Enter your comments here
Vince Dooley
January 1st, 2010
1:03 am
looks like all the SEC breatherin have fallin asleep after that ACC beatdown…..
hind tit
January 1st, 2010
1:07 am
bout time for munson to get up an pee.
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
1:09 am
Chickamauga Dawg I agree 100% and to think most self repecting SEC fans were pulling for UT tonight! I am all BULLDOG and I was, what a childish fool this Kiffen guy is , and to think, his father just sits back and watches, as his son makes a joke of himself
Red Dog 77
January 1st, 2010
1:12 am
Hey Bob…….Naw you are not worth my words
Dawg Straight
January 1st, 2010
1:17 am
Totally embarrassing performance by lane Kiffin and his mighty Vols—losing to an overrated ACC team! I guess this is another “moral victory” by Lane and Monte! What happened to the great monte Kiffin defense? It got shredded by the #57 offense in the country!!! Dawgs will beat UT easy this year—mark it down–that win by UT was a fluke and will not happen again for 10 years! Dawgs beat florida and UT and win the SEC East!! Lane K and UT—another minor bowl next year, somewhere cold! It’s great to be a Ga Dawg!!!
Hairy Dawg
January 1st, 2010
1:17 am
Beamer should have sucker punched Lame Kiffin as he walked by after Vols lost to a stinky ACC team to embarass SEC. Dawgs would n’t put up with losing to ACC teams as we always beating like red headed step childrens. ACC got lucky matchup against the rocky tops chumps to allow the ACC to win one measlesy game. Next year Dawgs is dominates to win SEC and the Vols want get flukey win againts Dawgs to be playing for loss in a bowl game that embarasses SEC.
PDX fan
January 1st, 2010
1:19 am
VaTech is the 3rd best team in the ACC while UT is the 5th or 6th best in the SEC. Apples and oranges here. You can’t say the ACC is better than the SEC when you match these 2 teams.
Christy Hansen
January 1st, 2010
1:21 am
After Coach Beamer’s physical assault on one of his players after what he obviously thought was a bad play, I lost all respect for him as a coach. I think he ought to be fired, just as some of the other coaches have been recently for abusing their players. The assault on his player at the Chick-Fil-A bowl was entirely uncalled for.
Seriously?
January 1st, 2010
1:37 am
So the ACC’s number 2 and 3 teams (Clemson and VT) beat the SEC’s number 6 and 7 teams (Tenn and Ky). And this is a statement about conference strength? I don’t think so. SEC is still a much better conference.
Poor Vowels
January 1st, 2010
2:01 am
I always root for the SEC, but this could not have happened to a better bunch of losers. Nothing sucks like the Big Orange and they certainly did tonight. What happened to the Power T and old Smokey? What an embarrassment Lame Kitten is to the SEC. And to think UT spends all that cash on a real jack@ss. Things will not be looking any better next year hillbillies. Mediocrity is your new name under Kitten.
scdawg
January 1st, 2010
2:06 am
every year, in bowls, top tier acc teams play mid to lower tier sec teams. that the acc wins of few of these matchups is expected, that they lose as many as they do is embarassing for the ACC. Do you guys really think GT could handle Bama? Do you honestly believe Clemson could play ball with Florida? I don’t. I think LSU/VT would be a good game, but that’s about it. Face it, GT couldn’t even handle a really bad UGA team, and yes, they were really bad (something I as a fan am not proud of). All that said, I was particularly proud to see UT get spanked tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!! UT is better than Lane Kiffen, he is an embarassment to their school and to the SEC. They will correct this soon . . . UT is too proud a program.
gcs
January 1st, 2010
2:28 am
Tennessee = all talk and no substance.
Enjoy your 4 years of losing games, recruits.
…
white dawg
January 1st, 2010
2:42 am
Yeah, I would agree that the ACC #2 and #3 teams (Clemson, VTech) beating the SEC #6 and #7 teams (UT, UK) is not remarkable. Unfortunately we lost to both SEC teams this year, which is inexcusable.Glad it’s 2010 and hope things will be better this year. If we end up in Shrevport this year CMR needs to go IMHO.
ACC domination
January 1st, 2010
2:42 am
1-2 sec now. Enjoy your easy games against the powers of uconn–a bball school, e carolina, and northwestern!!! you guys got some toughy’s left!!
ACC domination
January 1st, 2010
2:45 am
Hey white idiot
tenn finished 2nd in your division you dolt. that would put them 3rd or 4th at worst since they beat your team. MORON. VT finished 3rd in the acc. that seems mighty even steven to me you retard.
Hairy Dawg
January 1st, 2010
2:47 am
UT Vols is just sorry and thats why recruits need to play for Dawgs instead of Lame Kiffin. Kiffin has no clues about coaching and just tries to bring in players with fats women. Dawgs is goning to dominates East with recruits we our bringning to Athens. That arrogant jack rear Myers is having a nervous breakdown knowing what Dawgs is fixin to unload with whooping can. Between Myers, Lame Kiffin, and Dark Visor boy in Columbiea, the arrogance of East is ridiculeus. But Dawgs is best and goning to start dominates because of SEC talent recruits and coaching. Nothing the other teams does will be able to stop the hungries bulldogs as we take over ownership of confrence. UGA VIII is unbeaten and he is going to bring Dawgs the luck needed to win every game without losing. FL loses all good players to graduating and TN had top players arrested for hijack robbery. Dawgs will be dancing as champs all 2010 and for many years also to be winning SEC.
white dawg
January 1st, 2010
2:48 am
Acc domination – you conveniently forgot Penn State, Cincy, Oak St, and Texas
Stupid UGA ignorants fans...not the other sec fans
January 1st, 2010
2:49 am
TENNESSEE finished 3rd or 4th AT WORST in the sec. Deal with it. Quit lying. You are like a patheic basher or pumper on a stock message board. Your 3RD or 4TH best team got SMOKED tonight against the ACC’s 3rd best. That is what you call EQUAL. The ACC has played USC and PITT so far. Both RANKED. You’ved played that big monster A&M ,ya know that team with a LOSING record. YOU ARE 0-2 against the ACC. Deal with it. Unwilling to admit the obvious losers. U uga scum are a joke just like your school At least the most of the sec will admit the obvious.
Cuttysark
January 1st, 2010
2:52 am
Congratulations to Virginia Tech and Clemson in their bowl victories against the SEC, and Happy New Years to everyone. Looking forward to going to Miami on Sunday for the Orange Bowl Game against those Hawkeyes. .
For the latest Georgia Tech story as they get ready to play Iowa in the Orange Bowl go to http://isportsweb.com. Go Jackets!
white dawg
January 1st, 2010
2:53 am
Hairy dawg – time for bed son, your spurring your sleech
Acc
January 1st, 2010
2:56 am
Yes and every team we play is ranked. Oh except for that sec team kentacky.
You play against 6 ranked opponents. The same as us but 3 more games because of your weak ooc schedule.
white dawg
January 1st, 2010
3:00 am
Acc – 30-24. deal with it.
Acc
January 1st, 2010
3:11 am
White
Orange bowl
8-5 v/s 11-2 deal with it..in a conf that is 2-0 against NOT the bottom dwellers..can;t call UK a bottom dweller can we…they beat the UGA!! All we ask is some respect. We earned it tonight. Give it and we will STFU!