NCAA Football Recap (Virginia Tech-North Carolina)
Posted: Thur January 1, 1998 at 5:24 p.m. EST
Chris Keldorf threw three touchdown passes and fifth-ranked
North Carolina got defensive and special teams scores in a 42-3
swarming of Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville,
Florida, giving Carl Torbush a victory in his debut as coach.
Two of Keldorf's touchdown tosses went to Octavus Barnes as
North Carolina (11-1), snubbed for an Alliance bowl berth,
posted its first 11-win campaign since 1980 and just the third
in school history.
Keldorf, who missed last year's Gator Bowl with an injury,
completed 17-of-28 for 290 yards and was named the Gator Bowl
Most Valuable Player. Ironically, he was starting in place of
Oscar Davenport, last year's Gator Bowl MVP, who missed the game
with a broken right ankle.
"Any time he (Keldorf) needs a recommendation for a job, he has
one from me," said Torbush. "He is a great leader."
Virginia Tech (7-5), which missed out on an Alliance bowl berth
for the first time in three seasons, fell to 3-8 lifetime in
bowl games and dropped its second straight postseason game.
Torbush, who molded the Tar Heels into the defense
in the nation, was promoted from defensive coordinator December
8th when Mack Brown stepped down to become coach at Texas.
"Our special teams did a great job today," said Torbush. "I
thought we were sound in every area."
North Carolina forced three fumbles that led to 19 points,
sacked quarterback Al Clark five times, and outgained Virginia
Tech, 427-185. The defense also stopped the Hokies'
rushing attack, holding Ken Oxendine to 39 yards on 10 carries
and Lamont Pegues to 27 yards on seven carries.
"They got us in all areas today," said Virginia Tech coach Frank
Beamer. "I don't know when we helped a team as much as today.
Defensively, they're physical, they get in your face, and take
you back."
Following a 29-yard field goal by Josh McGee on their opening
drive of the game, the Tar Heels took a 10-0 lead just over
three minutes later when Keldorf connected with Barnes down the
left sideline for a 62-yard scoring strike.
North Carolina extended its lead to 16-0 when Dre' Bly and
Quinton Savage converged to block a punt by Jimmy Kibble, with
Bly returning it six yards for a score. It was North Carolina's
fifth blocked punt of the season and third returned for a TD.
The Tar Heels continued to pressure the Hokies, and on the first
play of the second quarter, linebacker Brian Simmons sacked Al
Clark and forced a fumble that defensive end Greg Ellis
recovered in the end zone, making it 22-0. North Carolina
outgained Virginia Tech, 204-43, in the first half.
Barnes, who also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass in the fourth
quarter, had three catches for 89 yards. Running back Jonathan
Linton was a double threat, rushing for 68 yards and a score on
20 carries and catching six passes for 81 yards.
Star linebacker Kivuusama Mays, safety Greg Williams and
cornerback Robert Williams, three of seven Tar Heels charged
with simple assault in connection with a late-night fight on
December 5th in Chapel Hill, were declared eligible to play and
all three started. Mays had seven tackles, while Greg and
Robert Williams both had two tackles.
Clark completed just 9-of-17 for 66 yards before being replaced
at the start of the second half by Nick Sorensen, who was 4-of-8
for 24 yards.
North Carolina improved to 10-12 in the postseason and has won
its last three bowl games, including last year's Gator Bowl
triumph over West Virginia.
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
|
