SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 27, 2014

Virginia Tech 33, Cincinnati 17: J.C. Coleman rushed for a season-high 157 yards and a touchdown as the Hokies pulled away from the Bearcats in the second half to win the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Md.

Michael Brewer completed 14-of-24 passes for 94 yards and a score as Virginia Tech (7-6) avoided its first losing season since 1992. Joey Slye booted four field goals for the Hokies, who brought back a fumble for a touchdown and had a pair of interceptions for their second bowl win in three seasons.

Chris Moore caught four passes for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Cincinnati (9-4), which saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end. Gunner Kiel completed 14-of-26 passes for 244 yards and a score before leaving the game with an injury early in the second half and Michael Colosimo went 3-of-10 for 70 yards and a touchdown in relief.

Kiel totaled 233 yards passing in the first half – 31 coming on a scoring strike to Moore for a 7-0 lead with 5:47 left the first quarter. Virginia Tech answered six plays later with a 1-yard touchdown run by Coleman and Slye connected on field goals from 45 and 49 yards for a 13-10 lead at intermission.

Brewer hit tight end Ryan Malleck for a 1-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play drive to open the second half and the Hokies’ defense quickly added to the lead, making it 27-10. Deon Clarke forced a fumble by Kiel, Virginia Tech’s Nigel Williams recovered and ran 29 yards before fumbling and Greg Stroman scooped it up to go the final 12 yards for the score with 9:16 left in the third quarter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer, who underwent throat surgery Dec. 6, coached from the press box as his team played in its 22nd straight bowl game. Shane Beamer, Frank’s son and the associate head coach, ran the sidelines for the Hokies. … Kiel finished with 31 touchdown passes, tying the single-season school record that was set by Ben Mauk in 2007. … Coleman's 157 yards rushing was the most by a Virginia Tech player in a bowl game.