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Virginia Bowl Games
Peach Bowl
December 31, 1998–Atlanta, Ga.
Georgia 35, Virginia 33
For the second time in four years, Virginia and Georgia clashed in the Peach Bowl in front of a sellout Georgia Dome crowd. Just as before–when UVa’s Demetrius “Pete” Allen returned a kickoff for a game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter–the rematch went down to the final ticks of the clock.
The ending to the sequel was not nearly as satisfying for Cavalier fans, however, as 19th-ranked Georgia overcame a 21-0 first-half deficit and withstood a late Virginia rally to defeat 13th-ranked UVa 35-33.
UVa trailed 35-27 in the fourth quarter before quarterback Aaron Brooks scored on a 30-yard run with 1:34 left in the game. Virginia’s two-point conversion attempt failed, but the Cavaliers regained possession when defensive back Devon Simmons recovered the ensuing onside kick at UVa’s own 47-yard line. Virginia then drove to the Georgia 31, setting up a potential game-winning 48-yard field goal attempt by Todd Braverman with 19 seconds remaining. The Cavaliers’ comeback effort fell short, however, as Braverman’s kick drifted wide right.
Despite the difficult loss, Virginia finished the 1998 season with a 9-3 record to clinch its fifth season of nine of more wins in school history. The Cavaliers were ranked 18th in both The Associated Press and USA Today/CNN final polls.
Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter threw three second-quarter interceptions, all of which led to Virginia touchdowns. Running back Anthony Southern rushed two yards for UVa’s first score with 10:30 left in the first half following a 26-yard interception return by linebacker Wali Rainer. On Georgia’s next possession, Carter was intercepted by defensive back Adrian Burnim at the Cavaliers’ 31. Virginia scored six plays later on a 43-yard pass from Brooks to wide receiver Terrence Wilkins. A 22-yard interception return by defensive back Tim Spruill set up UVa’s third touchdown, a 24-yard scoring strike from Brooks to tailback Thomas Jones.
The Bulldogs capitalized on a blocked punt just before the half, taking over on downs at the UVa 49-yard line and scoring six plays later on an 11-yard pass from Carter to split end Tony Small with 1:15 to go in the second quarter.
Georgia added two more touchdowns in the third quarter to tie the score at 21 before Virginia answered with a 67-yard touchdown pass play from Brooks to Wilkins, who broke free from several defenders on his way to the end zone. UVa missed the extra-point and led 27-21 late in the third quarter.
Georgia regained the lead 28-27 early in the fourth quarter on a two-yard scoring run by running back Olandis Gary and later added a one-yard touchdown run by Carter with 7:01 left to play.Brooks completed 12 of 32 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He also rushed 14 times for 88 yards and one touchdown. Jones led the Cavaliers with 96 yards rushing on 23 carries. Wilkins caught six passes, two for touchdowns, while totaling 161 receiving yards.
Rainer led the UVa defense with 11 tackles, followed by linebacker Donny Green with 10.
SCORING SUMMARY___________________________________Virginia 0 7 14 14--35Georgia 0 21 6 6--33___________________________________Second QuarterUVa-- Anthony Southern 2 run (Todd Braverman kick), 10:30UVa-- Terrence Wilkins 43 pass from Aaron Brooks (Braverman kick), 7:57UVa-- Thomas Jones 24 pass from Brooks (Braverman kick), 5:36UGa-- Tony Small 11 pass from Quincy Carter (Hap Hines kick), 1:15Third QuarterUGa-- Champ Bailey 14 pass from Carter (Hines kick), 11:18UGa-- Olandis Gary 15 run (Hines kick), 5:50UVa-- Terrence Wilkins 67 pass from Brooks (kick failed), 3:29Fourth QuarterUGa-- Gary 2 run (Hines kick), 12:52UGa-- Carter 1 run (Hines kick), 7:01UVa-- Brooks 30 run (pass failed), 1:34Attendance-72,876