Orange Bowl Preview

by B. Clifton Burke

The University of Cincinnati and the University of Virginia Tech haven’t met in a bowl game since an 18-6 UC victory in the 1947 Sun Bowl. That will change on Jan. 1, 2009 as the two square off in the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla.

"Our kids have heard this from me since Day 1," Kelly said. "They've responded very well to the challenges, and the challenges are, you still don't have the respect nationally until you come down in the Orange Bowl and show a national audience that you deserve to be here."

The No. 12 Bearcats (11-2) are led by their dynamic wide receiving duo of senior Dominick Goodman and junior Mardy Gilyard. Goodman, coming back from a separated shoulder that he suffered early in the final regular season game against Hawaii, has practiced with the team and is on track to play in the Orange Bowl. He needs just 23 yards and seven catches to become the school’s all-time leader in both categories (204 catches/2,483 yards). Gilyard has 1,118 yards and 10 touchdown receptions on the year.

Junior Tony Pike remains the starter after being pulled late in the Hawaii game following two interceptions, but senior backup Dustin Grutza has looked effective in his limited action since returning from a broken leg earlier this season. Pike has thrown for 18 touchdowns in 11 games this season and was second in passing efficiency (141.1) in the Big East.

Virginia Tech (9-4), has plenty of talent on their defense, finishing second in the ACC in scoring defense (17.5), total defense (277.1), rushing defense (107), and opponent third-down conversions (31.1 percent). The No. 21 ranked Hokies also managed to force 30 turnovers on the season. Senior cornerback Victor Harris was named a second-team All-American by The Associated Press after recording six interceptions, including two for touchdowns. Junior corner Stephan Virgil picked off five passes of his own. The two starting defensive ends, sophomore Jason Worilds and senior Orion Martin, combined for 15 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss on the year, and senior linebacker Purnell Sturdivant led the team with 93 tackles.

The Hokies are a run-first offense led by redshirt freshman Darren Evans, who rushed for 1,112 yards and 10 touchdowns, including 253 yards in a win over Maryland. Sophomore quarterback Tyrod Taylor isn’t much of a passing threat with only two TD passes and six interceptions this season, but he did rush for 691 yards and six touchdowns.

Cincinnati’s rush defense has been solid this season holding opponents to just 104 yards a game, good for second in the Big East. Senior defensive end Connor Barwin is tied for sixth nationally in sacks with 11, and senior safety Mike Mickens was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press.

Also included on the All-American team for the Bearcats was senior punter Kevin Huber who was named to the first-team by the Associated Press for the second straight season, and senior offensive lineman Trevor Canfield was named to the second-team.

The last regular season meeting between the Bearcats and Hokies came on Sept. 23, 2006, which resulted in a 29-13 Virginia Tech home victory. Cincinnati fell to 1-3 on the season after that game, but has gone 28-7 since that loss in Blacksburg.

"We all remember that stuff," Barwin said. "I'm excited to play Virginia Tech again. Playing down there was awesome. Their coach (Frank Beamer) is one of the best in the country."

Beamer has led his team to 15 straight bowl games, including a loss to Kansas in last year’s Orange Bowl, 24-21, their fourth consecutive BCS bowl loss. The ACC has lost eight straight BCS bowls, while the Big East has won its last three appearences.

"When you're representing a conference, there's a pride factor and I'm sure both of us share that," Beamer said. "You're kind of judged on how you do against the other conferences and the ACC hasn't done as well as we should have."

Beamer and the Hokies are used to this kind of national spotlight and attention. But they know the Bearcats will be focused on winning their first ever BCS bowl game and wouldn’t be surprised to see them back in this situation again soon.

“Cincinnati’s got a lot more good years in front of them, too,” Beamer said.