2018 Military Bowl

2018 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
11th Military Bowl
Coin toss prior to the game
Cincinnati Bearcats Virginia Tech Hokies
(10–2) (6–6)
The American ACC
35 31
Head coach: 
Luke Fickell		 Head coach: 
Justin Fuente
1234 Total
Cincinnati 77714 35
Virginia Tech 77107 31
DateDecember 31, 2018
Season2018
StadiumNavy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
LocationAnnapolis, Maryland
MVPMichael Warren II (RB, Cincinnati)[1]
FavoriteCincinnati by 5[2]
RefereeKevin Hassell (Mountain West)
Attendance32,832[3]
PayoutUS$2,067,000 [4]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN & ESPN Radio
AnnouncersMike Corey, Rene Ingoglia and Alex Corddry (ESPN)
Marc Kestecher and Brad Edwards (ESPN Radio)
Military Bowl
 < 2017  2019 > 

The 2018 Military Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 31, 2018.[5] It was the 11th edition of the Military Bowl, and was one of the 2018–19 bowl games concluding the 2018 FBS football season. Sponsored by defense contractor Northrop Grumman, the game was officially known as the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman.

Teams

The game was played between Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Cincinnati of the American Athletic Conference (The American).[6] The two programs had previously met 11 times, with Virginia Tech holding a 6–5 lead in the series.[7] It was their second meeting in the Military Bowl, having previously contested the 2014 edition, with Virginia Tech winning 33–17.

Virginia Tech Hokies

Main article: 2018 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

Virginia Tech received and accepted a bid to the Military Bowl on December 2.[6] The Hokies entered the bowl with a 6–6 record (4–4 in conference). After starting the season 4–2, the Hokies lost four games in a row, then finished with two wins, giving them the six wins needed for bowl eligibility. This was Virginia Tech's 26th consecutive bowl appearance, having played in a bowl every season since the 1993 Independence Bowl.[8]

Cincinnati Bearcats

Main article: 2018 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

Cincinnati received and accepted a bid to the Military Bowl on December 2.[6] The Bearcats entered the bowl with a 10–2 record (6–2 in conference).

Game summary

Scoring summary

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP CIN VT
1 10:22 10 63 4:38 VT Eric Kumah 21-yard touchdown reception from Ryan Willis, Brian Johnson kick good 0 7
1 7:46 6 75 2:36 CIN Charles McClelland 38-yard touchdown reception from Desmond Ridder, Ryan Jones kick good 7 7
2 11:22 7 50 3:31 CIN Michael Warren (CIN) fumble recovered by Kahlil Lewis in the end zone, Ryan Jones kick good 14 7
2 7:04 12 84 4:18 VT Steven Peoples 1-yard touchdown run, Brian Johnson kick good 14 14
3 10:21 8 69 3:43 VT 28-yard field goal by Brian Johnson 14 17
3 9:16 6 65 1:05 CIN Michael Warren 40-yard touchdown run, Ryan Jones kick good 21 17
3 1:52 14 72 4:13 VT Chris Cunningham 2-yard touchdown reception from Ryan Willis, Brian Johnson kick good 21 24
4 12:44 10 75 4:08 CIN Hayden Moore 19-yard touchdown run, Ryan Jones kick good 28 24
4 10:32 4 45 2:12 VT Ryan Willis 5-yard touchdown run, Brian Johnson kick good 28 31
4 1:29 5 64 2:16 CIN Michael Warren 8-yard touchdown run, Ryan Jones kick good 35 31
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 35 31

Statistics

1 2 3 4 Total
Bearcats 7 7 7 14 35
Hokies 7 7 10 7 31
Statistics CIN VT
First downs 23 24
Plays–yards 68–462 76–443
Rushes–yards 36–256 45–224
Passing yards 206 219
Passing: comp–att–int 15–32–1 20–31–1
Time of possession 28:55 31:05
Team Category Player Statistics
Cincinnati Passing Hayden Moore 11/25, 120 yds, 1 INT
Rushing Michael Warren 20 car, 166 yds, 2 TD
Receiving Charles McClelland 2 rec, 47 yds, 1 TD
Virginia Tech Passing Ryan Willis 20/31, 219 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Deshawn McClease 13 car, 102 yds
Receiving Damon Hazelton 6 rec, 57 yds

References

  1. ^ @Williams_Justin (December 31, 2018). "Mike Warren is your Military Bowl MVP" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2018 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Fawkes, Ben (December 10, 2018). "Odds for every 2018-19 CFB bowl game". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  3. ^ @MilitaryBowl (December 31, 2018). "Today's #MilitaryBowl attendance is 32,832" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2018 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "2018 Bowl Schedule". CFP.com. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  5. ^ "2018-19 College Football Playoff and bowl schedule". ESPN. May 2, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Bartholomew, Ryan (December 2, 2018). "Virginia Tech And Cincinnati Set For Rematch As Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman Kicks Off New Year's Eve In Annapolis".
  7. ^ "Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Cincinnati Bearcats football series games history list". winsipedia.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  8. ^ Brown, Mitch (December 2, 2018). "Virginia Tech extends nation's longest bowl streak to 26, will face Cincinnati in Military Bowl". www.wtkr.com. WTKR.