How Kentucky and Virginia Tech match up in the Belk Bowl — with a game prediction
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UK in the 2019 Belk Bowl
The University of Kentucky will play Virginia Tech in the 2019 Belk Bowl on Dec. 31. Read more about the Wildcats’ opponent and destination.
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How Kentucky (7-5, 3-5 SEC) and Virginia Tech (8-4, 5-3 ACC) match up at each position for the Belk Bowl — with a game prediction:
Quarterbacks
Since switching from wide receiver to quarterback before Kentucky’s sixth game, Lynn Bowden (1,235 yards rushing, 11 TDs; 29-of-62 passing for 330 yards and two TDs) has led UK to a 5-2 record and become a Wildcats football icon. The Paul Hornung Award winner as the nation’s most versatile player, the 6-foot-1, 206-pound junior has announced that the Belk Bowl will be his final college game before entering the 2020 NFL Draft. Virginia Tech’s season also pivoted with a quarterback switch. After the Hokies began the year 2-2, Tech Coach Justin Fuente installed dual-threat Hendon Hooker (306 rushing yards and five TDs; 62.1 percent completion percentage as a passer with 11 TDs vs. only two interceptions) as the starting QB. The threat of the 6-4, 228-pound redshirt sophomore as a runner opened up the Virginia Tech offense and helped the Hokies win six times down the stretch.
Advantage: Kentucky
Running backs
Kentucky redshirt freshman Christopher Rodriguez (515 rushing yards, 7.9 yards per catch, five TDs) has been the breakout back down the stretch for UK. Over the final four games of the regular season, the 5-11, 224-pound product of McDonough, Ga., ran for 384 yards and four TDs. He joins redshirt junior A.J. Rose (757 yards, six TDs) and redshirt freshman Kavosiey Smoke (609 yards, six TDs) in a three-headed RB rotation. Virginia Tech has had six different players lead the Hokies in rushing in a game this season. DeShawn McClease, a 5-9, 190-pound redshirt junior, is Tech’s leading rusher (749 yards, six TDs).
Advantage: Kentucky
Wide receivers
With Kentucky morphing into a ground-hugging attack, the Wildcats’ wideouts have largely become down-field blockers. Slot receiver Clevan Thomas (10 catches, 94 yards, one TD) had the Cats’ sole reception (for 4 yards) in UK’s 45-13 demolition of Louisville in the regular-season finale. With so much extra time to prepare, it will be interesting to see if Kentucky can get big-play, outside receiver Ahmad Wagner (15 catches, 254 yards, two TDs) back into the offense. Virginia Tech has a trio of dynamic playmakers. The Hokies are flexible in how they get Tre’ Turner (33 catches, 542 yards, four TDs; 22 rushes, 248 yards, one TD); Damon Hazelton (30 catches, 506 yards, seven TDs); and Tayvion Robinson (29 catches, 386 yards, one TD; 10 rushes for 127 yards) the ball.
Advantage: Virginia Tech
Tight ends
Kentucky junior Justin Rigg (10 catches, 112 yards) had the springing block on the first of Lynn Bowden’s four TD runs in the rout of Louisville. Virginia Tech junior Dalton Keene (20 catches, 234 yards, four TDs) and sophomore James Mitchell (18 catches, 325 yards, two TDs; five rushes, 7 yards, four rushing TDs) have accounted for 10 Hokies’ touchdowns.
Advantage: Virginia Tech
Offensive line
Kentucky senior left guard Logan Stenberg and junior center Drake Jackson, the Woodford County High School alumnus, were each named First Team All-SEC by the Associated Press. “The Big Blue Wall” will face a challenge against a Virginia Tech run defense that is 27th in the country (allowing only 123.3 rushing yards a game). Virginia Tech’s offensive front starts two redshirt sophomores, a sophomore and two true freshmen. One of the frosh is center Bryan Hudson, the former Scott County High School football and track and field standout. The 6-4, 315-pound Hudson, who picked Tech over a scholarship offer from UK (among many others), has started nine games.
Advantage: Kentucky
Defensive line
Kentucky senior tackle Calvin Taylor (33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles) and senior end T.J. Carter (21 tackles, five TFL, two sacks) will try to take advantage of Virginia Tech’s youthful offensive line. Virginia Tech’s defensive front is skilled at getting into opposing backfields — tackle DaShawn Crawford has six TFL, while right end Emmanuel Belmar and nose tackle Jarrod Hewitt each have 5.5 TFL.
Advantage: Even
Linebackers
Kentucky junior SLB Boogie Watson was disruptive in the win over Louisville, with six tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Backup sophomore WLB Jamin Davis continued his late-season surge by tying for the team lead in tackles vs. U of L with seven. Virginia Tech MLB Rayshard Ashby leads the Hokies in tackles (106) and TFL (14.5). OLB Dax Hollifield leads the Hokies in QB hurries (nine) and has three interceptions.
Advantage: Even
Defensive backs
Kentucky cornerback Brandin Echols (52 tackles, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles) and free safety Yusuf Corker (67 tackles, four breakups, two fumble recoveries) have led a secondary that has proven a major surprise for Mark Stoops. UK enters the Belk Bowl fourth in the country in pass defense (allowing 172.7 yards a game). Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s “Lunch Pail Defense” has long been known for scoring defensive TDs. Free safety Divine Deablo returned a fumble 98 yards for a TD at Notre Dame, while CB Caleb Farley had a 17-yard interception return TD at Georgia Tech. Farley (team highs of four interceptions and 12 pass breakups) is uncertain for the Belk Bowl, however, due to a back injury.
Advantage: Kentucky
Special teams
Kentucky’s Max Duffy (48.6 yards a punt; 24 of 47 kicks stopped inside the opponents’ 20-yard line) won the Ray Guy Award signifying the nation’s top punter. Walk-on place-kicker Matt Ruffolo gave UK a clean performance (6-of-6 on PATs; hit a 45-yard field goal) vs U of L. Virginia Tech punter Oscar Bradburn, like Duffy an Australian, is also very good (46.8 yards a kick, 21-of-51 inside the 20). PK Brian Johnson is 16-of-20 on field goals, but is only 2-of-6 from outside the 40-yard line. Tayvion Robinson (14.5 yards a return) has emerged as a punt-return weapon.
Advantage: Virginia Tech
Prediction
Kentucky 21, Virginia Tech 20.
