Annapolis, MD – The Cincinnati Bearcats (11-2) defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies, 35-31, in the McDonnell Douglass Military Bowl for one of their most successful seasons in school history. The two teams closed out Collegefootballfan.com’s 2018 bowl season with a much appreciated, exciting finish. After 25 consecutive winning seasons, Virginia Tech suffered its first losing season at 6-7, but not without a tough struggle to a much-improved program.
Setbacks to start the seesaw
Despite the cold, wet weather, the two teams racked up 905 yards of offense. After six lead changes, Cincinnati came up with the seventh on Michael Warren’s second TD with 1:29 left in the game. The Bearcats went toe-to-toe with the Hokies after losing their starting QB and American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, Desmond Ridder, during their second possession of the game. Senior QB Hayden Moore, their starter in 2017, entered, passed for 120 yards, and scored a 19-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter. Navy -Marine Corps Memorial Stadium favors Moore as he had a good game statistically here against the Midshipman his junior season.
With the score tied 14-14 at the half, Virginia Tech untied the knot with Brian Johnson’s 28-yard FG. Warren, who had a career best rushing day of 166 yards, countered with a 40-yard TD run to put Cincy ahead, 21-17. Before the period ended, Tech QB Ryan Willis (20 for 31, 219 yards, two TDs, one INT) tossed a two-yard TD pass to TE Chris Cunningham to regain the lead.
Final quarter of 2018
Leading the Bearcat drive into the final quarter of our Collegefootballfan.com 2018 season, Moore had the Cats back on the prowl starting from their 25. On a key third and eight, he completed a pass to WR Trent Cloud for a nine-yard gain and the first down. Two plays later, Moore ran 19 yards into the end zone to change the lead again. Tech swung right back into an offensive mode with Terius Wheatley’s 50-yard kickoff return to Cincy’s 45. A 40-yard reception by Tre Turner and another seemingly unavoidable and unintentional targeting penalty put the Hokies at the five. Willis ran it in from there to give Tech another lead, 31-28.
The teams traded turnovers and then punts before Cincinnati got the ball on their 36 with 3:36 left on the clock. Head Coach Luke Fickell’s Bearcats put the game on the back of their hot running back. Michael Warren rushed four times on the next five plays with the last putting the Bearcats up 35-31 with 1:29 left. Tech came out with Willis firing away. On his fifth straight pass attempt, DB James Wiggin picked it off to take over for Cincy on the 48. They ran out the clock for its 11th win of the season, only the third time in school history. This exciting game and our 27-game season both became history with the Bearcats finishing it off on a winning note, 35-31.
Great way to finish our season
Outstanding game. Wonderful time. At least the rain held off during our pre-game tailgate. We still hung out in the rain afterward for our final college football celebration of 2018 on New Year’s Eve afternoon. We tailgated as the streets and parking lots around Navy-Marine Corps cleared out. After our two previous disappointing, bowl blow-outs attended the past week, collegefootballfan.com enjoyed finishing its 27-game season with an exciting, last-minute victory. For us, the 27 games attended this season ties our record for most games attended in a season which we also achieved in 2014 and 2016. We now stand at 586 games attended since 1979. Our 600th game is within reach in 2019!
Wheels in motion for 2019
The Bearcats look to continue their revival under Luke Fickell entering his third season. They open next year when Chip Kelly brings UCLA to the Bearcats’ Nippert Stadium. When is the American Athletic going to be recognized as the Power 6 conference? VA Tech looks to go back to its winning ways under Justin Fuentes with its opener at Lane Stadium hosting the FCS Furman Paladins.
For us at collegefootballfan.com to start the 2019 season in late August, we’re trying to kick off our season with a trip that just coincides with our 30th wedding anniversary. St. Laurie and I spent our Honeymoon in Hawaii and she agreed that if we go back for our 30th, we could see a game there. It just so happens that Hawaii hosts Arizona on August 24, so plans will soon be underway! Continue to check out our site weekly during the off season. We will feature 2018 wrap-ups, our All-American teams, our draft preview, schedule building for 2019, Spring games, and special features. If nothing else, Steveo’s Salvos, our spin on things going on in the fun world of college football will give you the latest. Enjoy Clemson vs. Alabama this Monday night. It should be a great game!