ORANGE BOWL JANUARY 3,2008 KANSAS 24
FedEx ORANGE BOWT
PRESENTED BY: THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIRGINIA TECH 21
JANUARY 17,2008
SPECIAL SECTION
SUNNY DELIGHT
Jon Goering/KANSAN
Kansas players celebrate their 24-21 victory against Viroinia Tech during the 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl. "Anv doubts that we didn't belong on top all are gone," said senior tight end and captain Derek Fine. "We just beat the No.3 team, a very, very good team, the ACC Champions."
Sophomore safety Justin Thornton celebrates after returning an interception to the Hokie two-yard line during the fourth quarter. The interception led to a Kansas touchdown, which gave the Jawahars the 2-14 lead against the Holes.
Jon Goerina/KANSAN
Jayhawks beat Hokies at their own game: special teams
BY ASHER FUSCO
afusco@kansan.com
MIAMI — Turns out the Kansas team that spent the season surprising the college football world had one last trick up its sleeve. And an impressive one at that.
The blocked field goal may have been the most crucial play in a game full of momentum swings, big hits and closely contested short-yardage struggles. With six minutes and 31 seconds to play in the third quarter, Virginia
The Jayhawks put the finishing touches on a school-best 12-1 season by defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies 24-21 in the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl. Kansas pulled off the Jan. 3 upset by beating Virginia Tech at its own game; dominance on special teams. The Jayhawks overcame several exceptional kick and punt returns by Virginia Tech (11-3) with a timely blocked field goal and an expertly executed fake punt.
"We were able to make a big, big play on that punt and turn the game around with the blocked field goal," said Kansas junior wide receiver Dexton Fields. "When we blocked the field goal it was really a big momentum-stopper and it gave us some extra confidence. If they would have been able to tie the game, it would have let them pick up a lot of momentum."
Tech was picking up steam. An 84-yard punt return touchdown by senior wide receiver Justin Harper with 11:35 remaining in the third quarter pulled the Hokies within three points, 17-14, and the Virginia Tech fans at Dolphin Stadium were at full volume.
The Hokies took possession at their own
18-yard line but quickly moved the ball downfield with help from a 15-yard pass interference penalty on Kansas freshman cornerback Chris Harris and an improbable diving catch by sophomore tight end Greg Boone. The Hokies advanced to the jayhawk 8-yard line before opting to attempt a 25-yard field goal attempt on fourth-
and-two. The ball had barely left senior kicker Jud Dunlevy's foot when Kansas senior linebacker Joe Mortensen burst through the offensive line and blocked the ball with his chest.
let my shoulders slip through and pretty much came untouched and blocked it. It was great."
"Usually when we line up, I usually come out in zone and drop back." Mortensen said. "But this time we went for an all-out block. Coach (Bill) Young did a good job, and there was good penetration by the d-line. I just
Just five minutes later, Kansas outsmarted Virginia Tech on special teams once again. Faced with fourth-and-10 at its own 49-yard line, Kansas lined up in punt formation. But
"If they would have been able to tie the game, it would have let them pick up a lot of moment."
DEXTON FIELDS Junior wide receiver
instead of snapping the ball to senior punter Kyle Tucker, sophomore long snapper Kayl Anderson shot a quick snap left to senior running back Brandon McAnderson, who was lined up as Tucker's "personal protector."
McAnderson grabbed the snap and quickly tossed the ball toward sonohome wide receiver
Micah Brown, situated near the left side line as a gunner. Brown wrapped his hands around the wobbly pass and advanced 22 yards downfield for a fresh set of downs that allowed Kansas to tick another two minutes from the clock.
"They take a great deal of pride in blocking punts," Koasas coach Mark Mangino
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