The 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl was the 75th edition of Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It pitted the 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) champion Virginia Tech Hokies against the Big East Conference champion Cincinnati Bearcats on January 1, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Virginia Tech defeated Cincinnati, 20–7. The game was the second contest in the 2008–2009 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) of the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season and was the concluding game of the season for both teams. The game was televised in the United States on FOX, and an estimated 9.3 million viewers watched the broadcast live.
Virginia Tech was selected to participate in the Orange Bowl after a 9–4 season that culminated in a 30–12 victory in the 2008 ACC Championship Game. Cincinnati was selected as the other half of the matchup after an 11–2 season that ended with a 29–24 win against Hawaii. In the weeks between the teams' selection and the playing of the game, media attention focused on the nature of Cincinnati's first BCS game appearance and Virginia Tech's attempt to win its first BCS game since 1995. Attention also focused on Cincinnati's proficient offense and Virginia Tech's highly rated defense.
The game kicked off at 8:47 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in warm weather, and Cincinnati scored first, converting the game's opening possession into a touchdown and a 7–0 lead in the first quarter. Virginia Tech responded in the second quarter, tying the game at seven before taking a 10–7 lead with a field goal as time expired in the first half. In the third quarter, the two teams battled defensively, with only the Hokies able to score any points as Tech extended its lead to 13–7. During the final quarter, Virginia Tech scored its second touchdown of the game, giving the Hokies a 20–7 lead that lasted until time expired.
In recognition of his performance during the game, Virginia Tech running back Darren Evans was named the game's most valuable player. He set a Virginia Tech bowl-game record for carries and tied the Tech record for rushing yards in a bowl game. Cincinnati replaced two coaches after the loss, and three months after the game, players from each team entered the National Football League (NFL) via the 2009 NFL draft. Cincinnati had six players selected in the draft, while Virginia Tech had one.
Team selection The Orange Bowl is one of five Bowl Championship Series (BCS) bowl games that have been played at the conclusion of every college football season since 2006.Between 1998 and 2006, there were four BCS games. As defined by contract, the bowl matches the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against an at-large pick chosen by a special committee. On December 6, 2008, the Virginia Tech Hokies defeated the Boston College Eagles in the 2008 ACC Championship Game, thus winning an automatic bid to the 2009 Orange Bowl Game.Robertson, Jimmy. "Miami bound!" , Hokiesports.com. December 6, 2008. Accessed February 7, 2009.
The at-large spot in the Orange Bowl was filled via a round-robin selection procedure defined by the other Bowl Championship series games (the Sugar, Fiesta, and Rose bowls) and the automatic bids.The Bowl Championship Series. "BCS Selection Procedures" , BCSfootball.org. November 26, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. The order of at-large selections rotates annually among the BCS bowls. In 2009, the Fiesta Bowl picked first, followed by the Sugar Bowl, then the Orange Bowl."BCS Selection Process Explained", burntorangenation.com. December 7, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. The Fiesta Bowl picked Ohio State, while the Sugar Bowl selected Utah. The Orange Bowl was thus left to select Big East Conference champion Cincinnati,Harry, Chris. "Virginia Tech savors 2nd straight ACC crown; Orange Bowl awaits", The Orlando Sentinel. December 7, 2008. Sports Page 1. fulfilling the BCS' contractual obligation to provide a game for the conference's champion.
Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bearcats ended the 2007 college football season with a 10–2 record, including a win in the 2007 PapaJohns.com Bowl over Southern Miss, 31–21. It was only the second time in school history that Cincinnati had won 10 games in a season.The Associated Press. "Mauk, Bearcats spoil Bower's final game at Southern Miss.", ESPN.com. December 22, 2007. Accessed December 8, 2008. Before the 2008 season, the Bearcats hoped quarterback Ben Mauk would be allowed to play an unusual sixth year of college football, a possibility created by a year lost to injury and a redshirtIn addition to four years of athletic eligibility, collegiate athletes are allowed the option of one redshirt year, in which the athlete is not permitted to compete but is allowed to practice with a team or individually, under a coach's supervision. year. After Mauk's request was denied by the NCAA, the annual poll of media covering Big East football picked Cincinnati to finish fifth in the eight-team Big East.The Big East. "West Virginia Tabbed As 2008 Big East Favorite" , BigEast.org. July 29, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008.
The Bearcats opened the 2008 college football season against Eastern Kentucky, winning 40–7 in an offensive effort led by senior quarterback Dustin Grutza, who was named the team's starter at that position following Mauk's dismissal.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. August 28, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. For its second game of the season, Cincinnati traveled to Norman, Oklahoma, to face the Oklahoma Sooners for the first time. In a 52–26 loss to a team that would play for the national championship that season, Grutza broke his ankle and was replaced by junior Tony Pike.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. September 6, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008.
For their third game of the season, the Bearcats returned to Nippert Stadium—their home field—to play the first of two Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponents, in-state rival Miami. In the 113th Battle for the Victory Bell, Cincinnati won, 45–20.The Associated Press. "Bearcats' Pike shines in first start vs. Redhawks", ESPN.com. September 20, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. Following the victory against Miami, the Bearcats traveled to Akron, Ohio to play the Akron Zips. Against the Zips, Pike broke his arm and was replaced by redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson, who was also injured during the game. Fellow redshirt freshman Zach Collaros then entered the game and led the Bearcats to a 17–15 victory.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. September 27, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. The close win against Akron was followed by a 33–10 win over Marshall, the Bearcats' final nonconference game before beginning Big East play.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. October 3, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008.
At the start of conference play, the Bearcats were 4–1, and their only loss was against top-five opponent Oklahoma. With Pike still injured, Cincinnati beat Rutgers, 13–10, in the Bearcats' first Big East game of the season.The Associated Press. "Cincinnati holds on to extend Rutgers' losing ways", ESPN.com. October 11, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. The Bearcats suffered their second defeat of the season in the following week, however, losing to the UConn Huskies, 40–16.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. October 25, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. Pike returned from the injury and had the Bearcats leading at halftime, but he left the game at the half when numbness in his non-throwing hand prevented him from being able to take the snap. In the two weeks that followed the loss to the Huskies, Cincinnati recovered to beat two top-25 opponents: No. 23 South FloridaThe Associated Press. "Despite broken arm, QB Pike helps Cincinnati upset USF", ESPN.com. October 30, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. and No. 20 West Virginia.The Associated Press. "Cincinnati fights off No. 25 West Virginia's rally for overtime victory", ESPN.com. November 8, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. The two victories pushed the Bearcats to a 3–1 conference record and the No. 22 position in the AP Poll before Cincinnati's annual rivalry game against Louisville. That game, also known as the Battle for The Keg of Nails, ended in a Cincinnati victory for the first time since 2002.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. November 14, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008.
Following the rivalry game win, Cincinnati played the Pittsburgh Panthers in a game for control of first place in the Big East. In front of a record crowd at Cincinnati's home field, the Bearcats claimed first place with a 28–21 win.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. November 22, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. Heading into its game against the Syracuse Orange, Cincinnati was assured at least a share of the Big East Championship, but a 30–10 win over Syracuse gave the Bearcats sole possession of the championship, the first Big East title in school history.The Associated Press. "Big East winner Cincy hands Syracuse loss in Robinson's last game", ESPN.com. November 29, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. After clinching the Big East Championship and a bid to a BCS bowl, Cincinnati ended the regular season with a game in Hawaii against the Hawaii Warriors. Despite trailing for much of the game, the Bearcats scored 19 unanswered points and ended the regular season with a 29–24 victory., ESPN.com. December 6, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2008. Already assured a BCS berth by virtue of their Big East championship, on December 7, 2008, the Bearcats were selected to participate in the 2009 Orange Bowl.Reynolds, Tim. "Cincinnati-Virginia Tech matched for Orange Bowl", The Associated Press. December 7, 2008. Accessed May 24, 2009. Archived 2009-08-02.
Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Hokies entered the 2008 season after an 11–3 overall 2007 record that included a win in the 2007 ACC Championship Game and a loss to the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2008 Orange Bowl."Virginia Tech 2007 Schedule/Results", ESPN.com. Accessed December 2, 2008. Although the Hokies won the ACC for the second time in less than four years, fans and analysts anticipated Virginia Tech would spend 2008 rebuilding a team that saw 12 starters graduate or enter the National Football League (NFL) Draft.Warters, Nate. , Charlottesville Daily Progress. August 26, 2008. Accessed December 2, 2008. Though picked in a preseason poll to win the Coastal Division of the ACC,2008 ACC Football Preseason Selections The Atlantic Coast Conference, TheACC.com. July 21, 2008. Accessed July 23, 2008. the Hokies were upset in their season opener by East Carolina University.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. August 30, 2008. Accessed November 28, 2008.
Following the loss, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer announced that backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who had previously been expected to redshirt and sit out the season, would play in the Hokies' second game, against Furman.Coleman, Chris. "Hokies Pull Redshirt from Tyrod Taylor", Techsideline.com. September 2, 2008. Accessed December 2, 2008. Both Taylor and Sean Glennon performed well against Furman, and Tech won, 24–7.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. September 6, 2008. Accessed December 2, 2008. Tech's third game of the season came against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who were debuting a new offensive system the spread option under first-year head coach Paul Johnson. Unlike the game against Furman, Taylor started the game and remained at quarterback throughout, guiding the Hokies to their first ACC victory of the season, 20–17. The win gave Tech the tiebreaker against the Yellow Jackets in the event of a tie in the division standings at the end of the season.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. September 13, 2008. December 2, 2008. The Hokies' fourth game of the season came against the North Carolina Tar Heels, who were defeated by the same margin of victory as Tech's win against Georgia Tech, 20–17.The Associated Press. , ESPN.com. September 20, 2008. Accessed December 2, 2008.