If you missed the inaugural Continental Tire Bowl, you should be ashamed. The classic in the Queen City had everything: humiliation, disgrace, and a slew of upset West Virginia fans. And I'm not talking about the Pep Band.
Rarely does a team's final game represent a culmination of its achievements during the season. However, Virginia's 48-22 romp over its West Virginian brethren both capped a surprisingly successful year and showed Cavalier fans exactly why the team won nine games and finished second in the ACC. Like the conclusion of a well-written essay, the Cavaliers' performance in the Tire Bowl served as a fantastic look back at what made this year's Virginia football team so special.
Wali's World
Virginia running-back Wali Lundy concluded a spectacular freshman campaign with his best game of the season. Lundy gained 203 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns, winning the game's MVP and embarrassing Mountaineer defenders in the process. On his most spectacular play of the game, the New Jersey native caught a screen pass and spun out of three tackles, scampering 48 yards for the score.
Lundy's dominance once again demonstrated the potential of Virginia's freshmen class. While the senior leadership on this year's Virginia team was outstanding, it would have been hard to imagine such success without these freshmen. Coupled with freshman Daryl Blackstock's second-quarter interception, Lundy's performance at the bowl game sounded an alarm to the ACC: There's something good cooking in Charlottesville.
Muffins and Biscuits
If one play changed the face of the Tire Bowl, it belongs to Marques "Biscuit" Hagans. Up 14-10 early in the fourth quarter, Virginia's defense stopped West Virginia's high-powered rushing attack for the first time that day. During the ensuing punt return, Hagans stumbled to his right, shook the Mountaineer coverage team and sprinted to the end-zone. Sixty-eight yards later, the Cavaliers were up 21-10, and the rout was on.
Hagans provided Virginia fans with another great story this season. Inserted into the starting quarterback position against Florida State, he became the consummate utility man. This year, he ran, passed, and returned for a touchdown, while both thrown an interception, and recording a pick of his own.
Almondo "Muffin" Curry also capped off an outstanding season with a great performance in the bowl game. In the nickelback position early in the season, Curry earned a starting cornerback spot and went on to lead the Cavaliers in fumbles forced. Against the Mountaineers, Curry intercepted one pass and created a second interception with a massive hit on West Virginia receiver Phillip Braxton. Like so many other Cavalier opponents, West Virginia fans were left wondering where that little No. 22 came from.
Adversity? What Adversity?
On Virginia's first possession, All-ACC receiver Billy McMullen left the game with an elbow injury. While Cavalier fans lost their collective breath, the team itself did not miss a beat. No Billy Mac? No Problem. Ryan Sawyer can step up and turn every pass he catches into a first down. Heath Miller can catch passes over the middle, being as dependable as he was all season. Junior quarterback Matt Schaub did not seem to mind; he still went 16-for-22.
Throughout the year, the Cavaliers had to overcome adversity. Whether it was a 17-point deficit on the road or a senior linebacker playing with two torn MCL's, the team responded. Playing one of the nation's hardest schedules? 9-5
take that. Forgotten by three bowl games? This Cavalier team took their frustration out on the Mountaineers, even without their best wide receiver.
A Look to the Future?
Walking the streets of Charlotte after the game, there was only one thing on the minds of those who had watched. No, it was not the Pep Band, but rather the bright future of the Cavalier team. The ACC seems to be wide open next season with Florida State falling back to the pack. If the Cavaliers play like they played in the bowl game, I don't know who will be able to stop them.
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