19 / 48
have been the game’s MVP—an award that
went to receiver Cam Phillips, who caught six
passes for a career-high 115 yards.
“Coach Foster is always talking about how
he wants 22 starters on defense,” Shegog said.
“It was just ‘next man up.’ When I got my
chance, I tried to do the best I could.”
Evans also warranted consideration after
accounting for 330 of the Hokies’ 402 yards
and four touchdowns. He completed 21 of 33
for 243 yards, with two touchdowns and an
interception. He also rushed for 87 yards and
two scores.
Arkansas amassed 314 yards—but only 56
in the second half.
For theHokies, themost important number,
though, is 1—as in going 1-0 each week. In the
week leading up to the bowl game, they just
wanted to go 1-0.
Mission accomplished. Such a strategy
led them to 10 wins, which is a first for this
senior class.
Ten wins, a third straight bowl win, a
comeback for the ages … who could ask for
more?
“It’s awesome,” Ekanem said. “Virginia
Tech is back on the map, back in national
contention and all that. To be a part of the
only Virginia Tech team to win three bowl
games in a row is a pretty cool thing to hang
my hat on. It’s a game I’ll always remember
and be able to tell my grandkids about.
“It’s cool to get Virginia Tech back to
where I envisioned it when I was getting
recruited—back to 10 wins. You couldn’t draw
an ending up much better.”
TECH BOWL
RECORDS
RECORD
NUMBER PREVIOUS RECORD
Points in a second half
35
28 (vs. Cal, 2003 Insight Bowl)
Rushing first downs allowed
1
2 (vs. Georgia, 2006 Chick-fil-Bowl)
BELK BOWL
RECORDS
RECORD
NUMBER PLAYER/TEAM PREVIOUS RECORD
Total plays
55
Jerod Evans
54 (Dak Prescott, Mississippi State, 2015)
Most touchdowns
2
Jerod Evans
(tied with five others)
Most interceptions
3
Virginia Tech
(tied with two others)
Most rushing touchdowns
3
Virginia Tech
(tied with four others)
Fewest rushing yards allowed 36
Virginia Tech
(N/A)
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