Virginia Wins 2018 Belk Bowl

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CHARLOTTE – Virginia (8-5) is the 2018 Belk Bowl champion with a 28-0 win over South Carolina (7-6) on Saturday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
 
The Cavaliers became the first three-time Belk Bowl winners with the win, and is now 3-0 in the bowl with its previous wins in 2002 and 2003. Olamide Zaccheaus (Plainfield, N.J.) was named the MVP with 12 receptions for 100 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Virginia controlled the game with a 42:35 time of possession to 17:25 for South Carolina. The Cavaliers finished with 413 total yards of offense to 261 for the Gamecocks. UVA’s defense had two interceptions, including one by Tim Harris (Richmond, Va.) on the 11 yard line to seal the shutout.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia scored its first touchdown of the game with 3:30 to go in the first half when Bryce Perkins (Queen Creek, Ariz.) connected with Zaccheaus for a six-yard touchdown. South Carolina drove down the field, but a hurry and pass breakup by the defense forced the Gamecocks to attempt a field goal that went wide right.
 
In the second quarter, the Cavaliers had a 14 play, 90-yard drive that resulted in a nine-yard touchdown run by Jordan Ellis (Suwanee, Ga.) to lead 14-0 at the half. The drive lasted 8:10, which is the longest time for a drive by UVA in a bowl game. UVA scored again with 7:14 to go in the third when Perkins found Zaccheaus for the second time. The pair connected again at the 6:54 mark in the fourth quarter to make it 28-0.
 
STAT LEADERS
• HB Olamide Zaccheaus – Belk Bowl MVP
12 receptions, 100 yards, 3 TD
 
• QB Bryce Perkins
Passing: 22-31, 208 yards, 3 TD
Rushing: 81 yards
 
• RB Jordan Ellis
26 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
 
• SS Juan Thornhill
6 tackles. 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 QB hurry
 
• LB Jordan Mack
8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hurry