Beamer, Virginia Tech face Tulsa in Independence Bowl

Virginia Tech sent Head Coach Frank Beamer out with a victory over Tulsa, in an exciting Independence Bowl.

“The things you miss are the players”, Beamer said.

I think that the average college football analyst and the betting line has this one all but in the bag for the Hokies.

There are a lot of storylines surrounding the 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl, none of which have garnered more attention than the one about Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and it being his final game at the helm of the Hokies. The win gave Beamer a final record of 238-121-2 in 29 years at Virginia Tech.

Tulsa’s defense came into the game ranked 125th out of 127 FBS teams in team defense and Virginia Tech’s defense was allowing more than 27 points per game entering Saturday – a far cry from the top 10 defenses that were routine under Bud Foster not too long ago – but nobody expected a shootout quite like this.

Virginia Tech and Tulsa put together the highest scoring first quarter and first half in the history of the Independence Bowl on Saturday night by putting up a combined 45 and 76 points respectively. The Hokies made a final push to become bowl-eligible at 6-6 and get Beamer one last game. “I’m going to come to Shreveport just for the hell of it. I like it down here”.

This trip to Shreveport was filled with plenty of offense, but had more drama.

Tulsa took a brief 7-0 lead on a 48-yard run by D’Angelo Brewer, who added the final score in the first half on a 10-yard run with 20 seconds remaining. However, Virginia Tech’s Dadi Nicolas sacked Golden Hurricane QB Dane Evans on a fourth down with 1:17 left, locking up the win for the Hokies.

The previous record for most points in a half was 45 by LSU and Michigan State in 1995. Ford’s 227 yards receiving on 12 catches set an Independence Bowl record.

Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer completed 23 of 37 passes for 344 yards and one touchdown with one interceptions.

Three football players were selected, due to their performance in the last game, or during practice, to carry the American flag, the Virginia state flag and the team’s spirit flag as they led the team onto the field.

The Hokies scored 45 points in the first 22:49 of the game, going up 45-21 on Greg Stroman’s 67-yard punt return for a TD with 7:11 left to go in the second quarter.

Pinstripe Bowl: Ross Martin hit a 36-yard field goal in overtime and Duke won a bowl for the first time in 54 years, 44-41 over in at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Oakes’ try sailed over the right upright and was ruled wide. McMillian rushed for 82 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Hokies’ rushing attack.

Nick Smith had three field goals for Marshall, including a 32-yarder with 1:44 left that was part of a 13-play, 80-yard drive that lasted 6:35.

Marshall 16, UConn 10: Chase Litton completed 23 for 34 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown as the Thundering Herd (10-3) beat the Huskies (6-7) in the St. Petersburg Bowl in Florida.