Virginia Tech (7-6) avoided its first losing season since 1992 on Saturday, knocking off Cincinnati in the Military Bowl, 33-17.
A month ago, the Hokies were coming off of an overtime loss to Wake Forest and needed to to beat Virginia just to become bowl-eligible.
On Saturday, Cincinnati (9-4) lost quarterback Gunner Kiel in the third quarter and surrendered any chance of forging a comeback, but the Bearcats fought until the end and Kiel will be back next season.
1. VIRGINIA TECH PICKED A GOOD DAY TO GET ITS GROUND GAME ROLLING
The Hokies have struggled to find consistency with their running and passing games all season.
But against Cincinnati, Virginia Tech stuck to the run, rumbling for 210 yards -- the most ground production since Sept. 27 against Western Michigan -- on 44 attempts.
That 4.8 yards per carry was the first time time Virginia Tech averaged 4.5 YPC or better in consecutive games. It was also just the fourth time all season Tech averaged over 4.0 yards a rush.
Cincinnati's defense isn't that great, but Virginia Tech still managed to run the football.
The Hokies' offensive line has had their ups and downs this season, but junior back J.C. Coleman came through for the Hokies with 157 yards on 25 carries.
2. CINCINNATI PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR NOT FINISHING EARLY DRIVES
Gunner Kiel (30 TDs entering the game) and the UC passing game couldn't turn yards into points early on Saturday.
Kiel hit a 40-yard pass play on the first play of the game, but Cincinnati kicker Andrew Gantz missed a 51-yard field goal three players later. On the next drive, Kiel hit a pass play for 23 yards and ran for 16, then threw an interception after U-C had reached the Virginia Tech 33-yard line.
Cincinnati would score on its next drive (Kiel had pass plays of 25, 21 and 31 yards on that drive alone); but on the next drive, the Bearcats couldn't capitalize on yet another big play (24-yard pass play) and had to punt at the VT 45.
Cincinnati crossed into Virginia Tech territory on five of its eight first-half drives, ultimately, and came away with just 10 points and facing a 13-10 deficit.
The Bearcats had outgained Virginia Tech 307-148 in the first half, as well, but didn't have the points to show for it. From that point forward, U-C would gain only 182 more yards.
You try letting Hokie defensive coordinator Bud Foster make halftime adjustments, then lose your starting quarterback and see how that goes. .
3. THE TURNOVER BATTLE BELONGED TO THE HOKIES
The Hokies finished the regular season at minus-6 in turnover margin (including a minus-8 mark in their six defeats).
Tech has turned the ball over at least once in every game this season, but the difference was when its defense could force turnovers -- in six regular-season wins, the defense forced 14 turnovers compared to just five in six losses.
Cincinnati was undoubtedly hoping for a few gifts from a normally turnover-prone Hokies offense, but they would not receive any.
Virginia Tech turned the ball over just once, whereas Cincy booted it three times -- a lost fumble and two interceptions, all by Kiel.
The Hokies defense allowed some more big plays than it would have liked, no doubt, and didn't register as many tackles for loss an quarterback hurries as it normally would.
But when cornerbacks like Kendall Fuller are around the football (first-quarter interception) and the Hokies defensive line continues to come of age, there's bound to be a few, and there were.
And of course, Virginia Tech made them pay.
4. THE KIEL-LED BEARCATS MAY BE JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF THEIR IMMENSE POTENTIAL
Kiel enjoyed much success in the first half -- like many Hokies opponents had during the regular season -- passing for 233 yards in the first 30 minutes. Turnovers aside, he was dynamic and responsible for most of the Bearcats' explosive plays.
His lone touchdown pass gave him 31 for the season (along with 13 INTs), tied for the single-season Cincinnati record. Kiel finished the season with 3,254 yards passing. Five of the interceptions came against Virginia Tech and Miami.
Kiel left the game in the third after being sacked and losing a fumble (which was returned for a Virginia Tech touchdown) with an apparent head injury.
That aside, Kiel and the Cincinnati offense can look forward to another strong showing in 2015.
