Virginia Tech ACC Repeat
(December 7, 2008)

Different city, same result. The ACC Championship Game held yesterday at Raymond James Stadium not only saw a second straight Virginia Tech victory over Boston College, but the same disappointing attendance numbers that caused the game to move from Jacksonville.

Virginia Tech quarterback, and game MVP, Tyrod Taylor (11 of 19 for 84 yards with 1 INT) ran for two first half touchdowns and Darren Evans had 31 carries for 114 yards with a TD. The defense picked off Boston College QB Dominique Davis (17 of 43 for 263 yards with a TD) twice and recorded five sacks, as the Hokies rolled 30-12. Not only was this Virginia Tech’s second straight title, but the team’s third in the five years since joining the ACC.

While BC head coach Jeff Jagodzinski was left to say, “We fell a little bit short,” Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer talked of going to the Orange Bowl. “We’re going to do our best to represent the ACC, a league we are tremendously proud to be a part of.”

The announced attendance was 53,927, however, the 65,000 seat stadium was less than half full. Each school was allotted 10,000 tickets for the game, but reportedly combined to sell fewer than 5,000. Michael Kelly, ACC associate commissioner for football operations, commented, “Obviously, we’re never going to be satisfied until we get this game sold out.” On the site Kelly elaborated, “As a whole, I’d say we’re pleased on so many things, but we have to get better in terms of reaching our goal.”

Tampa will get another shot next December, then the game will move to Charlotte for two years.