Kentucky’s Lynn Bowden threw a punch and some ducks, but got last laugh in Belk Bowl
Kentucky and Virginia Tech is the rivalry college football didn’t know it needed.
For two teams that hadn’t played each other since 1987 and have seemingly no reason to carry so much bad blood, the Wildcats and Hokies played one of this season’s more entertaining postseason games in Tuesday’s Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.
What was bookended with a pregame fight and a 37-30 Kentucky victory was filled between with a barrage of stupid penalties and a quarterback who couldn’t throw stealing the show.
The first quarter alone had 70 total penalty yards for five infractions, 55 of which were against Kentucky. The Wildcats were flagged for two personal fouls on the opening drive (roughing the passer and illegal hands to the face), one of which came on a third-down incompletion to extend a possession that was later capped by a 54-yard field goal by Brian Johnson.
Kentucky got its first score — a 25-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Lynn Bowden — on a first-quarter drive that featured an “abusive language” penalty against Virginia Tech cornerback Armani Chatman after he pleaded with an official for to call the Wildcats for taunting.
Bowden’s legs gave Kentucky (8-5) its only meaningful offense. He had 34 carries for 233 yards and two touchdowns — including a 61-yard score — but his inability to throw effectively made the Wildcats one-dimensional.
Passing, Bowden completed 6 of 12 attempts for 73 yards and an interception, putting “ducks” in the air that begged to become turnovers. On his pick, he overthrew his target by 7 yards, with Virginia Tech defensive back Brion Murray catching it in stride, ending a promising drive. Another interception was overturned by a questionable pass interference call.
Bowden’s lack of consistency in the passing game ultimately didn’t matter.
On the game’s final play, Kentucky’s Jordan Wright recovered a Virginia Tech (8-5) fumble on a lateral and returned it to the end zone for a touchdown.
The game changed when ...
With 15 seconds remaining in the game, Bowden threw a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Josh Ali on first down to tie the game at 30-30. Kicker Matt Ruffolo put it away with the extra point. Bowden struggled to throw until the final drive, when he also completed a key pass to Ali on fourth-and-7.
ICYMI
Bowden, who in addition to playing quarterback has 348 yards as a receiver this season, threw a punch during warmups Tuesday at Bank of America Stadium that was captured by ESPN’s cameras. Bowden took a walk around the field before the game and was seen talking to Virginia Tech players prior to a small skirmish ensuing between the teams as the Hokies were trying to leave the field.
Tuesday wasn’t the first incident between the teams since they arrived in Charlotte last week. A video surfaced on social media of Virginia Tech players directing derogatory comments toward Kentucky players during their visit to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday.
Helmet stickers
Deshawn McClease, VT: Junior running back carried 11 times for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Rayshard Ashby, VT: Middle linebacker had 14 total tackles (8 solo), a pair of tackles for loss and a forced fumbles.
Lynn Bowden, Jr., UK: Two rushing touchdowns and 306 yards of total offense.
Josh Ali, UK: Caught the game-tying touchdown and had 52 receiving yards.
Making sense of the numbers
15.96: Average point differential in the 25 bowl games that were played prior to Tuesday’s noon kickoff.
75.7: Percent of Kentucky’s offense Bowden was responsible for.
3: Number of names Charlotte’s bowl has gone by since its inception in 2002. It began as the Continental Tire Bowl, became the Meineke Car Care Bowl in 2005 and has been the Belk Bowl since 2011. Belk is pulling its name from the bowl after this year and beginning in 2020, the bowl will find a new title sponsor.
44,138: Tuesday’s attendance at Bank of America Stadium, down from last year’s game between Virginia and South Carolina (48,263).
This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 3:25 PM.
