2010 ACC Championship Game

Bank of America Stadium, site of the 2010 ACC Championship Game

Before the 2007 game, cities other than Jacksonville (site of the 2007 ACC Championship Game) presented their plans to be the site of the 2008 ACC Championship Game.[10] After poor attendance in the ACC Championship Game at Jacksonville for the second straight year, ACC officials and representatives of the conference's member schools elected not to extend the Gator Bowl Association's contract to manage and host the game for another year.[11] On December 12, less than two weeks after Jacksonville had hosted the 2007 ACC Championship Game, the ACC announced that Tampa, Florida would host the game in 2008 and 2009 and Charlotte, North Carolina would host the game in 2010 and 2011.[11]

The cities were chosen based on bids presented to the ACC and its member schools. Each city requested and was granted a two-year contract. Tampa was chosen as the site of the 2008 game because Charlotte was scheduled to hold the annual convention of the Association for Career and Technical Education at the same time as the game, and adequate hotel space would not be ready in time for the two events. Because of this, Charlotte's two-year span of hosting the game was pushed back to 2010.[12]

Before the beginning of the 2010 college football season, the annual poll by media members who cover ACC football predicted Florida State would win the Atlantic Division and Virginia Tech would win the Coastal Division. Florida State received 78 of a possible 98 first-place votes in its division, while Virginia Tech received 62. In a vote to predict the ACC champion, Virginia Tech received 50 votes from 98 possible. Florida State received 26 votes, and all other teams received a combined 20.[13]

Immediately after the preseason poll, however, speculation began as to whether regular-season parity would render the prediction irrelevant. Before the 2010 season, the poll had predicted the ACC winner correctly only once in the championship game era.[14] In the Coastal Division, this speculation was groundless, as Virginia Tech's undefeated season rendered any other winner impossible. In the Atlantic Division, the situation was much different. As late as the second week of November, four of the six division teams were in contention for the division title.[15] These candidates were whittled to three with two weeks remaining in the regular season,[16] then to two in the final week.[17] During that week, NC State traveled to Maryland. If NC State had won, it would have been the Atlantic Division winner by virtue of a tie-breaking win against Florida State.[17] Instead, NC State lost 38–31, and Florida State earned a bid to the championship game.[18]

The Virginia Tech Hokies entered the 2010 season after a 2009 campaign that saw the team finish 10–3, including a season-ending win in the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers.[19] Because of that season-ending victory and the Hokies' general good performance during the 2009 season, Virginia Tech was ranked No. 10 in preseason national polling.[20] The Hokies' first game of the season was a nationally televised contest against then-No. 3 Boise State at FedExField near Washington, D.C.. Because the game was the first of the season to feature two top-10 teams, it received large amounts of media coverage.[21][22][23] During the game, Virginia Tech fell behind 17–0 in the first quarter, but rallied to take a 21–20 lead early in the third quarter. The two teams traded the lead, alternating scoring drives until Boise State scored a touchdown with 1:06 remaining. Virginia Tech was unable to reply one final time, and Boise State earned a 33–30 victory.[24]

The close loss discouraged the Virginia Tech players, who then had only five days to prepare for their next opponent, lightly regarded James Madison University.[25] At Lane Stadium, Virginia Tech's home field, James Madison upset the heavily favored Hokies, 21–16.[26] The loss was only the second time in college football history that a team ranked nationally was defeated by a team from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.[26] In the wake of the loss, Virginia Tech fell from No. 13 to out of the polls entirely.[27]

Following the loss, seniors on the football team held a players-only meeting in an effort to rally the team. Players later recalled that meeting as the turning point in the team's season.[28][29] The next week, Virginia Tech earned its first win of the season, a 49–27 victory over East Carolina in Lane Stadium.[30] The Hokies followed that by traveling to Boston College for a 19–0 win, their first shutout since 2006.[31]

The two victories were the start of a winning streak that saw the Hokies complete the regular season without another loss. Following Boston College, they defeated No. 23 NC State in its home stadium, 41–30.[32] They defeated nonconference opponent Central Michigan,[33] then beat conference opponent Wake Forest[34] and re-entered the polls at No. 25. Their position in the polls climbed with each opponent they defeated. They beat Duke as the No. 25 team,[35] Georgia Tech as the No. 23 team,[36] North Carolina as the No. 20 team[37] and No. 23 Miami as the No. 16 team.[38] The Miami victory clinched Tech the division championship and a slot in the ACC championship game,[38] but the Hokies still won their final previously scheduled game, the annual Commonwealth Cup rivalry against Virginia.[39]

Florida State began 2010 after a 7–6 record in 2009 that ended with a 33–21 win against West Virginia in the 2010 Gator Bowl.[40] Florida State also began the year under a new head coach. Bobby Bowden, who retired after 57 years as a head coach, 34 at Florida State and 33 consecutive winning seasons, was replaced by Jimbo Fisher.[40] Immediately before the 2010 season began, Bowden claimed he had been pushed out as head coach, causing a stir before Florida State's first game.[41]

For its opening game, Florida State faced the lightly regarded Samford Bulldogs and defeated them 59–6.[42] In its second game, No. 17 Florida State faced a tougher challenge as it traveled to Norman, Oklahoma to play the No. 10-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The Seminoles were defeated 47–17, in their third-worst loss since 1991.[43] Florida State rebounded from the loss to defeat Brigham Young University, 34–10,[44] then opened the ACC season by defeating Wake Forest,[45] Virginia,[46] in-state rival Miami[47] and Boston College in succession.[48]

On October 28, Florida State traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina to play NC State. Despite leading 21–7 at halftime, Florida State allowed NC State to rally and win the game, 28–24. NC State's win gave it a one-game lead and a tiebreaker against the Seminoles in the Atlantic Division .[49] The following week, Florida State again lost, this time to North Carolina, a Coastal Division opponent.[50] The same week, NC State lost to Clemson, bringing Florida State even with NC State in the divisional standings. NC State still held the tiebreaker, however.[51]

With three weeks remaining in the regular season and two other Atlantic Division teams also with one loss, there were 120 possible scenarios for the four tied teams.[15] On Nov 13, Florida State defeated Clemson 16–13, eliminating one of the four tied teams from contention for the divisional championship.[52] The following week, Florida State defeated Maryland, 30–16, eliminating another contender.[53] The divisional championship came down to the final week. Because Florida State was playing nonconference rival Florida, the division was decided by the matchup between NC State and Maryland. Hours after Florida State defeated Florida 31–7, NC State lost to Maryland, giving Florida State the Atlantic Division championship and a bid to the ACC Championship Game.[54]

After two years of poor attendance at ACC championship games in Tampa, Florida, organizers hoped moving the game to Charlotte, closer to the geographic center of the conference, would result in improved ticket sales.[61] That hypothesis was borne out as early public sales approached 28,000 tickets before the participating teams were officially announced.[62] After the announcement, each school sold its allotment of 10,000 tickets, and the more than 50,000 publicly available tickets were purchased at a rapid pace.[63] ACC officials and Charlotte boosters each said they were satisfied with the pace and quantity of ticket sales.[64][65]

During the 2010 season, Florida State senior quarterback Christian Ponder completed 62.2 percent of his passes for a total of 2,038 yards, and Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher called him "one of the great Florida State quarterbacks of all time."[57] Despite this endorsement, Ponder's participation in the ACC Championship was in doubt because of injured elbow fascia sustained in the Seminoles' game against Boston College.[66] The issue remained in doubt until the day of the ACC Championship,[67] when coach Fisher announced that sophomore quarterback E. J. Manuel, who had led the Seminoles against Clemson was given the start.[68]

Protecting both quarterbacks was a strong offensive line anchored by All-American guard Rodney Hudson, a two-time winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, a four-time recipient of all-conference honors and a finalist for the Outland Trophy.[69] Hudson and the offensive line also protected Florida State's running backs. Foremost among these was sophomore Chris Thompson, who led the team with 687 rushing yards.[70] Thompson was predicted to start the ACC Championship game because of his performance in the regular season and because fellow running backs Ty Jones and Jermaine Thomas were injured.[71] Taken together, Florida State's offense was 52nd in total offense, accumulating 391 yards per game.[72]

Virginia Tech's offense was centered on quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was named ACC Player of the Year on December 1. Taylor threw 20 touchdown passes, had only four interceptions and completed 60.2 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 613 yards, a figure that included several "game-changing" runs.[73] Alongside Taylor, the Hokies boasted three strong running backs: David Wilson, Ryan Williams and Darren Evans. Wilson had 573 rushing yards, 509 return yards, 165 receiving yards and nine touchdowns despite being an underclassman.[74] The Hokies led the ACC in scoring, averaging 34.8 points per game,[70] and were 38th in the nation in total offense (409 yards per game).[72]

Virginia Tech's offensive line was particularly concerned with containing Florida State sophomore defensive end Brandon Jenkins, who was tied for third in the nation in sacks (12) and 15th in tackles for loss (18.5). On the other half of the defensive line, defensive end Markus White recorded seven sacks during the regular season.[75] In total, Florida State's defense was No. 1 in college football in terms of sacks (43) and 15th in tackles for loss (7.2 per game). Florida State placed a priority on containing Tyrod Taylor and preventing him from scrambling for extra yardage.[76] The Seminoles were 39th nationally in total defense, allowing an average of 341 yards per game.[72]

Virginia Tech's defense was less statistically successful in 2010 than it had been in previous years, but the Hokies still led the nation in turnover margin, forcing 16 more turnovers than they gave away. Sophomore cornerback Jayron Hosley, a first-team All-ACC selection,[77] led the nation in interceptions with eight, while Davon Morgan and Rashad Carmichael each had four.[78] Tech's defense ranked 10th in the red zone, seven spots ahead of the Seminoles' defense in that respect.[78] In total defense, the Hokies were 42nd, permitting an average of 349 yards per game.[72] In scoring defense, Tech was third in the ACC, permitting 17.9 points per game.[79]

Florida State lines up to attempt a field goal in the first quarter. The successful attempt was the first score of the game, putting the Seminoles up 3–0

Virginia Tech won the ceremonial pregame coin toss to determine first possession and decided to kick off to Florida State. Kickoff returner Lonnie Pryor mishandled the football, but quickly recovered the loose ball and carried it to the Florida State 33-yard line, where the Seminoles began their first offensive drive. On the first play of the game, quarterback E. J. Manuel completed a 29-yard pass to wide receiver Taiwan Easterling, driving the Seminoles into Virginia Tech's defensive half. A short rush and a subsequent 12-yard pass gave Florida State a first down near the Virginia Tech 20-yard line. Short rushes pushed Florida State's offense inside the Virginia Tech red zone, but the Seminoles were unable to gain another first down. Placekicker Dustin Hopkins came on the field and kicked a 32-yard field goal, giving Florida State a 3–0 lead with 11:43 remaining in the quarter.[86]

Virginia Tech's first possession began at its 20-yard line after a touchback. The Hokies advanced the ball into Florida State with a series of rushing plays, then lost yardage and punted from their 47-yard line. Florida State recovered the kick at its 15-yard line and began its second possession. On the second play of the drive, Seminoles quarterback attempted a pass, but the ball was intercepted by Virginia Tech defender Jeron Gouveia-Winslow, who ran it 24 yards into the end zone for Virginia Tech's first touchdown. The score gave Tech a 7–3 lead with 8:54 remaining in the quarter.[86]

Florida State received the post-score kickoff, then went three-and-out. Virginia Tech recovered the kick at its 35-yard line, and began a drive that needed only three plays to score a touchdown. The key effort was a 51-yard sprint by running back Darren Evans, which advanced the ball to the Florida State 9-yard line. The score and extra point pushed Tech's lead to 14–3 with 4:37 remaining. Florida State responded with a quick touchdown drive of its own. From its 32-yard line, the Seminoles needed only six plays, three of them passes from E. J. Manuel, to reach the end zone. The score with 1:52 remaining trimmed Tech's lead to 14–10 at the 1:52 mark. As the quarter came to an end, Virginia Tech received the post-score kickoff and advanced the ball to its 22-yard line before the final seconds ticked off the clock and the first quarter ended with Tech leading 14–10.[86]

The second quarter began with Virginia Tech in possession of the ball and facing a third and nine at its 22-yard line. On the first play of the quarter, Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Danny Coale for a first down at the 50-yard line. Tech continued to advance down the field, and eight plays later, Taylor completed a 19-yard pass to Jarret Boykin for the Hokies' third touchdown of the game. The drive consumed 13 plays and covered 91 yards in 6:25, and Tech gained a 21–10 lead with 10:28 remaining before halftime.[87]

Following the touchdown, Virginia Tech kicked the ball off to Florida State, and after a short return, the Seminoles' offense took the field at their 22-yard line. Florida State then embarked upon a 10-play, 78-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown with 5:40 remaining in the quarter. During the drive, Florida State converted two third downs and Manuel completed passes of 12 yards, 14 yards and 25 yards.[87]

Tech's Jayron Hosley returned Florida State's subsequent kickoff to the Tech 35-yard line, where the Hokies' offense returned to the field. Tech advanced the ball with short rushes, gaining two first downs via quarterback sneaks from Taylor. The Hokies advanced as far as the Florida State 44-yard line, but Florida State sacked Taylor twice, denying the Hokies another first down. Tech ran down the clock, then punted with 42 seconds remaining in the first half. Rather than attempt to score in the final seconds, Florida State kneeled on the ball and let the first half end with Tech leading, 21–17.[87]

Virginia Tech prepares to receive the kickoff to begin the second half.

Because Florida State received the ball to begin the game, Virginia Tech received the ball to begin the second half. Running back David Wilson returned the opening kickoff to the Tech 21-yard line, and the Hokies' offense began the first drive of the second half. The first play of the quarter was a 14-yard pass from Taylor to Coale, beginning a seven-play, 67-yard drive resulting in a touchdown. The culminating play of the drive was a 45-yard pass from Taylor to Coale for the touchdown, which extended Tech's lead to 11 points, 28–17, at the 11:24 mark of the quarter.[88]

After the kickoff, Florida State went three-and-out and punted back to Virginia Tech. The Hokies began their second possession of the quarter at their 39-yard line and started the drive with five consecutive running plays, advancing 28 yards in the process. Tech then switched to its passing offense, throwing four consecutive passes. Three were complete, and the final one, a 21-yard toss from Taylor to Wilson, ended with the running back carrying the ball into the end zone. The score capped a nine-play, 61-yard drive that grew the Hokies' advantage to 18 points, 35–17.[88]

Florida State's offense returned to the field with 4:35 remaining and needing to score rapidly in order to make up the 18-point deficit, the game's largest. The Seminoles began their drive with their passing offense, trying three passes in four plays. Quarterback Manuel completed two of those three pass attempts, gaining 37 yards and advancing deep into Virginia Tech territory. A pass interference penalty against Virginia Tech advanced the Seminoles to the Tech 11-yard line, and three rushing plays later, running back Ty Jones crossed the goal line for a touchdown. The score came with 1:40 remaining in the quarter and brought the score to 35–24.[88]

Florida State kicked off following the score, and Tech's offense began work from its 18-yard line. Though quarterback Taylor was sacked on the first play of the drive, the Hokies recovered the lost yardage and gained a first down with the final play of the quarter. With one quarter remaining in the game, Tech held a 35–24 lead.[88]

The two teams line up for the final play of the game. Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor kneeled with the ball to run out the clock and end the game.

Virginia Tech began the quarter with a first down at its 29-yard line. After Williams carried the ball for a four-yard gain, Taylor completed a 14-yard pass to Andre Smith for a first down at the Tech 47-yard line. Two plays gained only one yard, then Taylor completed a 46-yard throw to Coale for a first down at the Florida State 6-yard line. Three plays later, Taylor ran five yards into the end zone, finishing an 11-play, 82-yard drive that spanned two quarters. Tech increased its margin to 41–24, but as Virginia Tech attempted the extra point, Florida State's Nigel Bradham disrupted and blocked the kick. Bradham scooped up the loose ball and returned it the length of the field to the opposite end zone for an unusual defensive two-point conversion.[89]

The conversion brought the score to 41–26 with 11:29 remaining in the game. Florida State received the post-touchdown kickoff, then benefited from a 10-yard holding penalty against Virginia Tech. Three subsequent plays failed to gain another first down, however, and on fourth down, a pass by Manuel was intercepted by Virginia Tech's Davon Morgan and returned to the Florida State 34-yard line. With 9:29 remaining, Virginia Tech's offense entered the game. The Hokies went three-and-out, but capitalized on the good starting field position by kicking a 43-yard field goal that increased their lead to 44–26.[89]

Florida State's offense began work from its 36-yard line, but ran four plays without gaining a first down and turned the ball over on downs. Virginia Tech, whose offense began at the Florida State 45-yard line, proceeded to run down the clock. In eight plays, Tech advanced 21 yards and drained 3:22, then turned the ball over on downs at the Seminole 26-yard line. Florida State's offense entered the game one final time and conducted a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard pass from Manuel to running back Chris Thompson for a touchdown. The score and subsequent extra point made the score 44–33, but only seven seconds remained in the game. The Seminoles attempted an onside kick in an attempt to have another opportunity for offense, but the Hokies recovered the kick and proceeded to run out the final seconds, earning a 44–33 victory.[89]