Hokies rally from 24-0 hole
Cowboys rip Buffs; USF wins in OT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jerod Evans threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two scores and No. 18 Virginia Tech pulled off the largest comeback in its 124-year history, erasing a 24-point halftime deficit to beat Arkansas 35-24 on Thursday night in the Belk Bowl.
After being limited to 180 yards in the first half, the Hokies (10-4) took advantage of three of Austin Allen’s interceptions and scored touchdowns on five of their first seven possessions of the second half.
“Our kids have phenomenal character, work ethic and toughness,” Hokies coach Justin Fuente said. “Playing well was important to them today and we didn’t do it in the first half. They regrouped and said they were going to do it one play at a time and they came out and fought, and scratched and clawed and found a way to get the job done.”
Evans scored on a 4-yard run and threw touchdown strikes to Sam Rogers and Chris Cunningham to cut it to 24-21 In the third quarter. Travon McMillan put the Hokies ahead for good with 12:03 left in the game when he scored on a 6-yard run. Evans sealed the win with an 8-yard touchdown scamper. Arkansas dropped to 7-6.
Alamo Bowl
(12) OKLAHOMA STATE 38, (10) COLORADO 8: In San Antonio, Texas, Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph threw for three touchdowns as Oklahoma State (10-3) routed Colorado, which was coming off a loss in the Pac-12 title game.
James Washington had 171 receiving yards for the Cowboys, with one score. Justice Hill had 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Colorado finished 10-4.
Birmingham Bowl
(25) SOUTH FLORIDA 46, SOUTH CAROLINA 39 (OT): In Birmingham, Ala., Quinton Flowers ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more to lead South Florida past South Carolina (6-7) in overtime.
South Florida (11-2) squandered a 39-21 lead in the second half, but recovered for its school-record 11th victory. Flowers threw a 25-yard touchdown pass on the first play of OT, finding Elkanah Dillon in the end zone.
South Carolina’s overtime drive ended after Jake Bentley was sacked by Mike Love on fourth down. Bentley fumbled and Khalid McGee recovered to end the game.
Notes
SALAAM: In an espn.com story it was reported that Rashaan Salaam, whose body was found in Boulder, Colo., on Dec. 5, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, the coroner’s office said Thursday.
The Boulder County Coroner’s Office reported that the autopsy showed the cause of Salaam’s death was a gunshot wound to the head. Salaam, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1994, was 42.
SUSPENDED: Arkansas senior tight end Jeremy Sprinkle was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and did not play in the Belk Bowl on Thursday night against No. 18 Virginia Tech.
Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema announced the decision hours before the game.
ESPN reported that Sprinkle shoplifted from a Belk department story in Charlotte, home to the bowl.