Michigan vs. Virginia Tech: 2012 Sugar Bowl Live Score, Analysis and Highlights
By on January 3, 2012
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The Michigan Wolverines, under first-year head coach Brady Hoke, were one of college football's biggest surprises in 2011. They started the season unranked after three subpar years under Rich Rodriguez in which the Wolverines struggled to win games in the Big Ten.
Now, the Wolverines are slated to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2012 Sugar Bowl.
As a result of a great regular season put together by Hoke and the Wolverines, Michigan is ranked 11th in the country and will be playing in a BCS bowl for the first time since 2006—the Sugar Bowl, tonight vs. Virginia Tech. The Wolverines will attempt to win a BCS bowl for the first time since the 2000 Orange Bowl and salvage a disappointing bowl season for the Big Ten.
The Hokies (11-2) will counter Denard Robinson's explosiveness with standout David Wilson. The back has over 1,600 yards on the ground along with nine scores on the ground this season.
Frank Beamer's team has drawn criticism for being undeserving of the BCS bid over teams like Boise State and Kansas State, but the Hokies will most certainly give the Wolverines all they can handle and try to prove the doubters wrong on a national stage.
This is the Hokies' 19th straight bowl appearance, dating back to 1993. They are 9-10 in those games, including a 1-4 record in BCS bowls since its inception in 1998.
As of right now, the Wolverines are favored by 1.5 points to beat the Hokies. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen on ESPN.
This page will be updated below with live analysis. Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the latest news, highlights and analysis for the 2012 Sugar Bowl and the rest of the 2012 bowl season.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Final Thoughts
Michigan gained just 184 yards of offense and totaled just 56 yards on the ground. However, two huge touchdown catches by Junior Hemingway and three field goals by Brendan Gibbons were just enough for the Wolverines to notch their 11th win of the season.
Virginia Tech out-gained the Wolverines by 193 yards and dominated the time of possession. However, several key miscues and costly penalties were too much for the Hokies to overcome. Frank Beamer's teams pride themselves on special teams and defense. This time, the special teams failed to make the necessary plays to win the game, and it wasn't the fault of Justin Myer.
It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win. This is the biggest win for Michigan football in perhaps a decade.
End of Game - Michigan 23, VA-Tech 20 (OT)
Brendan Gibbons hits a 37-yard kick to give the Wolverines their 11th win of the year to cap off a magical season in Brady Hoke's first year in Ann Arbor.
Score Alert - Michigan 20 , VA-Tech 20
A huge call goes against the Hokies, taking a touchdown off the board. Myer misses the field goal attempt. Any Michigan score wins the game.
Michigan wins the toss and will play defense to start overtime.
Tied at 20-20 at the end of regulation in New Orleans.
Score Alert - Michigan 20, VA-Tech 20
Myer hits a 25-yard field goal with just seconds left on the clock.
Another VA-Tech penalty sets the Hokies back to the 9-yard line.
The Hokies have three turnovers, and Michigan has just 51 yards on the ground in an ugly 2012 Sugar Bowl.
Score Alert - Michigan 20, VA-Tech 17
Brendan Gibbons hits a field goal to put the Wolverines back on top.
The Wolverines are averaging just two yards on first down in the game. It's shocking how well the Hokies are doing at stopping the running attack of Michigan.
The Wolverines double their second half production with a 11-yard catch by Roundtree.
Another special teams mistake by the Hokies. Both teams are making uncharacteristic mistakes and miscues.
Michigan stops the Hokies on 3rd down just across mid field, but the Hokies look like they may go for it again on 4th down. The way the Wolverines defense is playing, who can blame Beamer for trying for it again?
The Hokies have the ball and will be looking to take the lead for the first time since a 6-0 lead late in the first half.
Score Alert - Michigan 17, VA-Tech 17
Quarterback sneak by Logan Thomas, two point conversion is good.
More sloppy defense by the Michigan defense.
End of the 3rd Quarter
Michigan 17, VA-Tech 9
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Robinson has -1 yards on the ground on 10 carries. Toussaint has 25 yards on eight carries. Michigan has a total of just 37 yards on 22 carries.
Score Alert - Michigan 17, VA-Tech 9
36-yard field goal is good by Myer.
This is the Hokies third trip into the red zone. So far, VA-Tech has a field goal and a turnover on downs from inside the 20-yard line.
Wilson is starting to heat up a little as VA-Tech is just outside the red zone.
After having a total of two touchdown catches through Michigan's first 12 games, Hemingway has two more so far today.
Score Alert - Michigan 17, VA-Tech 6
18-yard pass from Robinson to Hemingway. Michigan has scored 17 unanswered points.
Robinson makes another poor throw off his back foot, but gets bailed out by a pass interference call.
Frank Clark intercepts Logan Thomas' pass at the line of scrimmage. VA-Tech timeout.
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