Final
Hundley breaks loose as UCLA downs Hokies in Sun Bowl
Jan 1, 2014 - 7:10 AM El Paso, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Brett Hundley's 86-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter highlighted the 17th-ranked UCLA Bruins' 42-12 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Sun Bowl.Hundley carried the ball 10 times for 161 yards and two scores for the Bruins (10-3), who won 10 games for the first time since 2005. The sophomore quarterback also completed 16-of-27 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
"It was a special game," said Hundley. "We played well as an offense. We had to make adjustments. When we did, we got things going."
Virginia Tech senior quarterback Logan Thomas took a hard hit from UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt early in the second quarter and did not return to the game. Thomas completed 3-of-11 passes for 46 yards before exiting.
"It was tough to miss time on the field, the worst feeling of my career," said Thomas. "I would have rather you guys talk bad about me than miss time on the field. We were doing some good things on offense. I thought we were right on the verge of doing some good things."
Mark Leal took over under center and connected on 12-of-25 passes for 130 yards and two interceptions for the Hokies (8-5), who made their 21st straight bowl appearance.
Holding a 14-10 lead, the Bruins used a 28-point fourth period to put the game away. It all started with a 12-play, 85-yard drive that bridged the third and fourth frames. Hundley completed four passes of at least 11 yards before Paul Perkins' 5-yard TD run.
Just three plays into the following Virginia Tech series, Leal tried to throw the ball while being dragged to the ground. His pass was picked off by Myles Jack, who returned the ball 24 yards for a UCLA touchdown.
The Hokies got two points back when Sean Covington stepped out of the back of the end zone on a punt. The safety got Virginia Tech within 28-12 with 9:38 to play.
Leal was intercepted by Zumwalt, who returned the ball 43 yards to the 10-yard line. Two plays later, Thomas Duarte caught an 8-yard TD pass from Hundley.
Shaquelle Evans' 59-yard touchdown catch accounted for the final margin.
The Bruins scored a touchdown on their fourth play from scrimmage. The ball was at the Virginia Tech 14-yard line following Hundley's 25-yard run and a 15-yard personal foul penalty. Two plays later, Hundley used his legs to score from seven yards out.
The Hokies found the end zone on their second possession of the game. Kalvin Cline caught a 37-yard pass before J.C. Coleman's 1-yard rushing TD.
UCLA kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed a 36-yard field goal with 1:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Hundley's 86-yard TD run with 9:17 left in the half was the longest offensive play ever by a UCLA player in a bowl game.
Michael Branthover missed a 46-yard field goal on the ensuing Virginia Tech possession.
The Hokies managed to keep it close and Branthover made a 22-yard field goal with 3:53 to go in the third quarter.
Game Notes
UCLA played in a bowl game for the 10th time in the past 12 seasons ... Evans caught four passes for 92 yards ... Thomas carried the ball three times for 50 yards.
- Ka'imi Fairbairn extra point is good.
Dec 31 5:52 PM - VIRGINIA TECH: 12
UCLA: 42
End of Regulation
Dec 31 5:51 PM - Brett Hundley pass to Shaquelle Evans for 59 yards.
Virginia Tech 12, UCLA(17) 41 4th - 5:49Dec 31 5:37 PM - Brett Hundley pass to Thomas Duarte for 8 yards.
Virginia Tech 12, UCLA(17) 34 4th - 7:31Dec 31 5:27 PM - Sean Covington stepped out of the end zone for a safety
Virginia Tech 12, UCLA(17) 28 4th - 9:38Dec 31 5:20 PM - Mark Leal pass intercepted by Myles Jack at the Virginia Tech 24 and returned for 24 yards.
Virginia Tech 10, UCLA(17) 27 4th - 13:22Dec 31 5:05 PM - VIRGINIA TECH: 10
UCLA: 14
End of 3rd
Dec 31 4:50 PM - VIRGINIA TECH: 7
UCLA: 14
Halftime
Dec 31 3:48 PM - VIRGINIA TECH: 7
UCLA: 7
End of 1st
Dec 31 3:03 PM - Defensive penalty on Virginia Tech, Unnecessary Roughness, 14 yards, enforced at the Virginia Tech 29.
Virginia Tech 0, UCLA(17) 0 1st - 14:10Dec 31 2:25 PM - VIRGINIA TECH: 0
UCLA: 0
1st Quarter - 15:00
Dec 31 2:16 PM
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