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| Gator Bowl |
January 1, 2001
12:30 PM on NBC
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| Michael Vick Website |
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| The Conference |
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Virginia Tech beats Clemson in the 2000 Gator Bowl
The Hokies beat Clemson 41-20
Thanks to big plays from a Michael Vick-led offense and a strong defensive performance, Virginia Tech stomped all over Clemson 41-20 in front of 68,741 fans at the 56th annual Gator Bowl.
With the win, Tech snapped its two-game losing streak in the Gator Bowl. Tech's two previous trips to the Gator Bowl were not even close to this year's win. After getting killed by Tennessee and North Carolina in previous years.
"After the way we played the last two times, if we didn't do better this time, the Gator Bowl people weren't going to have us back," said Beamer. "We weren't as consistent as we'd have liked, but overall our defense played well and came up with some big plays and offensively we got some big plays. It was a great win and a great start to next year." After the win Virginia Tech improved to 11-1, the same record as last year.
"People might say we took a step back, but I don't think so," cornerback Ronyell Whitaker said. "We went 11-1 last season and we went 11-1 this season. We didn't take a step backwards. Maybe the BCS will look at us now and say that Virginia Tech should have been in a BCS bowl."
The Hokies held Clemson to three-and-out on the Tigers' first possession, forcing them to punt. Clemson snapper Henry Owen tossed back a bad snap to Jamie Somaini and Somaini was tackled for a loss at the Clemson 23. On the very next play, quarterback Michael Vick hit fullback Jarrett Ferguson with a perfect strike and Ferguson walked into the end zone for the touchdown. Vick accounted for Tech's second touchdown as well, which was a 6-yard td run. He finished the game with 224 yards of total offense and earned the game's most valuable player award. He completed 10 of 18 passes for 205 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
"We were going to take our shots," said Vick. "If they were going to play us man, then we were going for it and it panned out for us. We were able to catch them in the right defense a couple times."
Clemson cut into Tech's lead in the second quarter. Clemson's elusive quarterback, Woody Dantzler, hit Travis Zachery for a 23-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to seven and then the Tigers took advantage of a Vick fumble, cutting the lead to 14-10 on a 28-yard field goal by kicker Aaron Hunt. A 49-yard pass play from Vick to Andre Kendrick on third-and-2 put the Hokies at the Clemson 4, and two plays later, tailback Lee Suggs scored. After the score Tech had the lead at the half 21-10.
Then after halftime, on Tech's first possession, Vick hit Andre Davis for a 55-yard gain to the Clemson 1 and Suggs scored from a yard out on the next play. Carter Warley missed the extra point so the score was now 27-10. Another Clemson field goal made the score 27-13. On the next Hokie possesion Kendrick had a 45-yard run and got the Hokies into Clemson territory, and four plays later, Ferguson polished off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
Tech's outstanding defense kept Dantzler on the run all day long. The Hokies held Clemson to 88 yards rushing, sacked Clemson's quarterbacks six times and picked off two passes. Dantzler completed just 15 of 32 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown, with one interception. Danztler rushed for 81 yards on 18 carries.
"They really spread you out and want to run the ball," Beamer said. "You've got to make them throw the football. Their backs and Dantzler are good, so you have to keep them in there and make them throw it and I thought we did that. Overall, you have to give our defense credit. Clemson had some opportunities and our defense stepped up."
The game was Virginia Tech all the way and it capped a season that was good but not as good as the fans wanted it to be. Next year with no more injuries and a good percentage of starters returning the Hokies could bring home what the fans want- going all the way to the National Championship.
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