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Virginia vs. Texas Tech
Gator Bowl Notes, Jan. 1, 2008
UVa running back Mikell Simpon’s 96-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter set several records:
It was the longest rush play in UVa history. The previous long was an 88-yard carry by Bob Davis (a quarterback) vs. NC State in 1964. The previous long rush by a running back was an 81-yard run by Tommy Vigorito vs. NC State in 1979.
It was the longest rush by a running back in a bowl game in NCAA history. The only longer rush was a 99-yard TD run by Oregon State quarterback Terry Baker in the 1962 Liberty Bowl (won 6-0 by OSU).
It was the longest rush in Simpson’s career. His previous long rush was a 44-yard TD run vs. Maryland.
UVa’s previous long rush in a bowl game was a 52-yard effort by Kevin Brooks in the 1994 Independence Bowl.
Simpson also rushed for a career-high 170 yards to set a school record for most yards in a bowl game. He also scored a touchdown rushing and receiving for the second time this season. Today’s game is his fifth multi-touchdown game of the season.
Simpson’s 247 all-purpose yards (170 rushing, 36 receiving, 41 kickoff return) are the second-highest total of his career trailing only his 271-yard game against Maryland earlier this year.
Simpson led the team in both rushing and receiving for the second time this season (Maryland). He also led the team in receiving against Wake Forest but QB Jameel Sewell was the team’s leading rusher.
Simpson caught a team-leading 43 passes this season, the fifth most by a running back in school history.
Virginia’s 98-yard scoring drive in the second quarter was its longest of the season and longest in a bowl game.
UVa had two safeties in today’s game, the first time in the modern history (since 1937 when NCAA statistics began) of Cavalier football that has happened. Nate Collins and Clint Sintim were both credited with safeties in the first half of today’s Gator Bowl. Prior to today’s game there had only been four safeties in the history of the Gator Bowl.
Virginia has three safeties this year, setting a single-season record.
UVa tight end Jonathan Stupar caught his first TD pass in a bowl game today. It marked the first time a UVa tight end has scored in a bowl game since the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl when Heath Miller scored on a 52-yard pass from QB Matt Schaub vs. Pittsburgh. Stupar had three receptions today. He moved past Bob Bischoff into fifth place on UVa’s list for tight end receptions with 80.
Jamaal Jackson started for just the third time in his Cavalier career today, but it marked the second time he has done so in a bowl game. He also started in the 2005 Music City Bowl.
Nate Collins recorded his second sack of the season today on a first quarter safety. He finished with three tackles.
Rashawn Jackson’s 12-yard rush was a career long. Jackson had 14 rushes today; he had only six carries all season coming into the game. Jackson’s 52 yards are also a career high; he entered the game with 20 yards this season.
Virginia had three sacks today, tying the most allowed by Texas Tech this season (allowed only 15 all season coming into the game). The Red Raiders also had three sacks by Colorado and Missouri.
Peter Lalich’s touchdown pass in the fourth quarter is his first since the Duke game, 11 games ago.
Virginia had two players (Jameel Sewell and Peter Lalich) throw TD passes today, the first time UVa had two players throw a TD pass in a bowl game since Marques Hagans and Matt Schaub threw scoring tosses against West Virginia in the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl.
Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell completed 44 of 69 passes for 407 yards. The figures for completions and attempts are the most ever against Virginia, while the yardage total is the sixth-highest figure vs. UVa (and the most since NC State’s Philip Rivers passed for 410 yards in 2003).
Safety Nate Lyles led the Cavaliers in tackling with a career-high 11 tackles in his final collegiate game. Nine of his tackles were solos. CB Vic Hall made eight tackles, a career high, while CB Ras-I Dowling tied his high with seven stops.
TE Tom Santi caught three passes in the game and finishes his career with 97 career receptions, third in school history by a tight end. Santi led the team with 418 yards receiving this season.