Hokies send Beamer out a victor

Virginia Tech freshman Travon McMillian needed 39 yards entering Saturday’s Camping World Independence Bowl to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark.

The Hokies were then able to run out the clock for a 55-52 victory.

“It gets down to people”, Beamer said. They’ve got some tall guys that went up and got it. We got to scrambling around a little bit with personnel, but I give them credit.

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

The game will be the final contest for head coach Frank Beamer who is retiring after a 29-year career. Tulsa’s defense tightened up, especially in the fourth quarter, to hold Virginia Tech to just 10 points and claw back into the game.

Duke 44, IN 41, OT: Ross Martin kicked a 36-yard field goal IN overtime, and Duke won a bowl game for the first time IN 54 years with a victory over IN at Yankee Stadium.

Beamer bowl milestones: First win came in 1993 in Shreveport; breakthrough win came in 1995 in Sugar Bowl with 28-10 win over No. 9 Texas; In 2000 VT lost to Florida State in the national championship Sugar Bowl game; In 2014 VT collected 22nd straight winning season with victory in the Military Bowl. The last time I came to Shreveport, I leave here a happy guy.

This trip to Shreveport was filled with plenty of offense, but had more drama. Things were especially tough in the second half as Tulsa QB Dane Evans had his way with Tech’s young secondary. 107 points, 1161 yards of offense, 57 first downs, and a lot of happy Hokie fans.

Player of the game: Virginia Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford had a monster game, catching 12 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown as the Hokies shredded the Tulsa secondary. Running back Shaun Wilson had 282 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns for the Blue Devils (8-5), including a 98-yard kickoff return. The Hokies are 14-point favorites to defeat Tulsa.

The first half was memorable due to the record-setting scoring compiled by the Hokies and the Hurricane. “It’s gonna hit me more as the final seconds tick down”.

Tech led 45-31 at halftime; the 76 combined points set a record for either half in any bowl game.

Tulsa’s Keyarris Garrett became the NCAA receiving yardage leader this season after catching eight passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. But a bone-crushing sack by Virginia Tech’s Dadi Nicolas on fourth down with 1:17 left ended the threat. The Hokies picked up a first down on their ensuing drive, but ultimately were forced to punt, and the Golden Hurricane took over at the Tulsa 20 with two minutes left. “All I know is we won the football game”.

Workers at Beamer’s 25, a restaurant named in honor of the legendary coach, said a group of 25 people booked a large table to watch the game. The Hokies hired Memphis coach Justin Fuente in late November to replace Beamer.

But on Saturday, it was all about Beamer, who praised his players and Virginia Tech’s administration for sticking with him for 29 seasons and 238 victories.

Spectators said they are glad Beamer coached his last bowl game before his steps down.