Michigan Beats Virginia Tech, 23-20, Wins First BCS Bowl In 12 Years

Michigan kicker Brendan Gibbons hit a 37-yard field goal in overtime to give the Wolverines a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech, their first BCS bowl win in 12 years. It was a sloppy, ugly, malnourished contest between two teams who probably did not deserve to be there, but the first Sugar Bowl since 1945 containing two programs outside the top ten was entertaining, at least in the sense that carnivals and rodeos are entertaining.

Virginia Tech blew a dominant first half by failing to score touchdowns, settling for two field goals instead, and suffering a wacky pair of plays to end the half. After out-gaining Michigan 5-to-1 and stopping Denard Robinson dead in his tracks for almost the entire first half, the Hokies gave up a busted coverage, tipped-ball touchdown with 49 seconds left in the second quarter. Then, Virginia Tech fumbled the ensuing kickoff, stopped Michigan on three downs, and presented the Wolverines yet another gift, this one a tipped-pass catch on a fake punt. Michigan kicked a field goal and went in to halftime ahead 10-6, a fortuitous score after being dominated for 29 minutes.

The final stats were heavily slanted in favor of Virginia Tech. The Hokies gained 377 yards, or 4.97 yards per play, to 184 yards and 3.5 yards per play for Michigan. Michigan allowed Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas to drive downfield repeatedly, but tightened up once the Hokies entered the redzone.

The victory capped off an extremely lucky first season for Brady Hoke. Not only did his biggest rival, Ohio State, unexpectedly implode before the season began, but he received an easy schedule with the most difficult non-conference opponent an 8-5 Notre Dame. He missed Penn State and Wisconsin and received Nebraska and Ohio State at home.

With a significantly tougher schedule next season, and with the loss of Mike Martin and David Molk, it's doubtful Michigan will win 10 regular season games again.