2019 Belk Bowl

The 2019 Belk Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 31, 2019, with kickoff at 12:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.[6] It was the 18th edition of the Belk Bowl, and was one of the 2019–20 bowl games concluding the 2019 FBS football season. The game was sponsored by department store chain Belk.

2019 Belk Bowl
18th Belk Bowl
Virginia Tech Hokies Kentucky Wildcats
(8–4) (7–5)
ACC SEC
30 37
Head coach: 
Justin Fuente		 Head coach: 
Mark Stoops
1234 Total
Virginia Tech 107103 30
Kentucky 771013 37
DateDecember 31, 2019
Season2019
StadiumBank of America Stadium
LocationCharlotte, North Carolina
MVPLynn Bowden Jr. (QB, Kentucky)[1]
FavoriteVirginia Tech by 1.5[2]
RefereeDavid Alvarez (Big 12)[3]
Attendance44,138[4]
PayoutUS$4,780,461[5]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN & ESPN Radio
AnnouncersESPN: Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Anthony Becht (analyst) and Rocky Boiman (sideline)
ESPN Radio: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst) and Kelsey Riggs (sideline)

Teams

The game was played between the Kentucky Wildcats from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Virginia Tech Hokies from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This was the 20th meeting between the programs; Kentucky entered the game leading the all-time series, 11–6–2.[7]

Kentucky Wildcats
Main article: 2019 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Kentucky entered the bowl with a 7–5 record (3–5 in conference). They finished in the three-way tie for fourth place in the SEC's East Division. The Wildcats lost to both ranked FBS teams that they played, Florida and Georgia. This was Kentucky's first appearance in the Belk Bowl.

Virginia Tech Hokies
Main article: 2019 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

Virginia Tech entered the bowl with an 8–4 record (5–3 in conference). They finished second in the ACC's Coastal Division. The Hokies were 1–1 against ranked FBS teams, defeating Wake Forest and losing to Notre Dame. This was Virginia Tech's second Belk Bowl; their 2016 team won that season's Belk Bowl over Arkansas, 35–24.

Game summary
2019 Belk Bowl
1 2 34Total
Virginia Tech 10 7 10330
Kentucky 7 7 101337

at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First Quarter
  • (11:15) VT – Brian Johnson 54 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 39 yards, 3:45; Virginia Tech 3–0)
  • (4:20) UK – Lynn Bowden Jr. 25 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:55; Kentucky 7–3)
  • (2:04) VT – Hendon Hooker 18 yard pass to Damon Hazelton, Brian Johnson kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:16; Virginia Tech 10–7)
Second Quarter
  • (10:20) VT – Hendon Hooker 6 yard pass to Dalton Keene, Brian Johnson kick (Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:40; Virginia Tech 17–7)
  • (0:53) UK – Christopher Rodruiguez Jr. 2 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:09; Virginia Tech 17–14)
Third Quarter
  • (11:29) UK – Matt Ruffolo 40 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:31; Tied 17–17)
  • (9:57) VT – Deshawn McClease 43 yard rush, Brian Johnson kick (Drive: 4 plays, 76 yards, 1:26; Virginia Tech 24–17)
  • (7:57) UK – Lynn Bowden Jr. 61 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:00; Tied 24–24)
  • (3:13) VT – Brian Johnson 40 yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards, 4:44; Virginia Tech 27–24)
Fourth Quarter
  • (12:47) VT – Brian Johnson 27 yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:46; Virginia Tech 30–24)
  • (0:15) UK – Lynn Bowden Jr. 13 yard pass to Josh Ali, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 18 plays, 85 yards, 8:10; Kentucky 31–30)
  • (0:00) UK – Jordan Wright 28 yard fumble return (Kentucky 37–30)

Statistics
StatisticsVTUK
First downs2022
Plays–yards55–32968–404
Rushes–yards33–21955–331
Passing yards11073
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12–22–06–13–1
Time of possession24:1435:46
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Virginia TechPassingHendon Hooker12/22, 110 yards, 2 TD
RushingDeshawn McClease11 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJames Mitchell3 receptions, 36 yards
KentuckyPassingLynn Bowden Jr.6/12, 73 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingLynn Bowden Jr.34 carries, 233 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingJosh Ali4 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD

References
  1. Jeff Drummond [@JDrumUK] (December 31, 2019). "Cats presented with Belk Bowl trophy as MVP Lynn Bowden holds his son alongside Mark Stoops. #BBN" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. "Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky - Game Summary". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  3. "2019-20 bowl officiating assignments". footballzebras.com. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  4. Nick Carboni [@NickCarboniWCNC] (December 31, 2019). "44,138 is @belkbowl attendance" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. "2019 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  6. "2019-20 college football bowl schedule, games, dates, times, TV channels". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  7. "Kentucky Wildcats vs. Virginia Tech Hokies football series history". winsipedia.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
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