CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Virginia may finally get some respect. The Cavaliers dominated then-No.13 West Virginia for the final three quarters of the game en route to a decisive 48-22 victory in the inaugural Continental Tire Bowl on Dec. 28, granting the previously unranked Wahoos a No. 22 ranking for the 2002 season and early hype for a promising 2003.
The primary storyline of the Tire Bowl was respect, as both participants felt they deserved a berth in a better bowl game after each finished second in its respective conference.
The bowl selection process that left the Cavaliers in the Tire Bowl instead of a bigger-revenue, more high-profile bowl only made them hungrier and more determined. On the heels of freshman running back Wali Lundy's four touchdowns -- two rushing and two receiving -- and back-up quarterback Marques Hagans' rare feat -- throwing for a score and returning a punt for another in the same game -- the Cavaliers' offense spearheaded the path to a blow-out win.
Lundy ran for 127 yards and caught five passes for 76 yards. He was both consistent and explosive, including scoring on a run of 31 yards and a screen pass that totaled 48 yards. Lundy's first score was a 14-yard reception from Hagans who had received a lateral from quarterback Matt Schaub and then threw it across the field to a wide-open Lundy.
"It was a good play call," Lundy said. "I was just hoping I could catch the ball. When you're that wide open, you have to concentrate and let the ball come to you."
Lundy's performance earned him accolades as both the game's Most Valuable Player and as the only freshman on Sports Illustrated's All-Bowl team.
Virginia dominated from the second quarter on, scoring 31 unanswered points beginning with a one-yard sneak by Schaub on fourth and goal. Schaub ran for 39 yards on seven carries and threw for 182 yards and a touchdown. Schaub's stellar season and solid bowl performance has prompted talk that he might compete for next year's Heisman, though he downplays the matter.
"That's fine, but I don't think much about it," Schaub said. "All that matters is winning and what happens between the lines. All the attention can help the program, but it's all about what happens on the field."
When the two teams were announced, West Virginia exuberantly ran onto the field. Virginia, however, marched out of the tunnel in silent two-by-two procession.
"This game was about us making a statement and our players did that," Virginia coach Al Groh said.
The Cavaliers' first drive was marred by an injury to star wide receiver Billy McMullen. On the sixth play from scrimmage in his final collegiate game, McMullen caught a pass from Schaub in the right flat for eight yards but landed awkwardly, dislocating his elbow and leaving him unable to return.
"We lost one of the best players that's ever played in this conference and our guys just went back out and played," Groh said. "That says a lot about our team."
West Virginia showed early signs of offensive dominance, controlling the line of scrimmage and running at will. The Mountaineers were favored to win in part because of their strong ground game and Virginia's weak run defense. This advantage was apparent early as West Virginia drove 72 yards in 16 plays and five minutes, 19 seconds on their first possession, but Virginia held them to a field goal, giving the defense some inspiration for the rest of the game.
Senior linebacker Angelo Crowell again led the defense with 12 tackles
a fitting conclusion to his All-ACC career. Freshman Darryl Blackstock continued to impress, recording both a sack and an interception.
Virginia will miss its co-captain stars McMullen and Crowell and senior offensive tackle Mike Mullins but with another promising recruiting class and 19 returning starters, Groh's Cavaliers are on track for a strong 2003 season.
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