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Independence Bowl 1993
Virginia Tech 45 Indiana 20
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SHREVEPORT, La. - In a stunning turn of events, Virginia Tech scored two touchdowns in the final 35 seconds of the first half to spark an unforgettable 45-20 victory over Indiana in the Poulan Weed Eater Independence Bowl, played on New Year’s Eve.
The game appeared to have all the makings of a nail-biter between the Eastern Independent and #22 ranked, Virginia Tech, and the Big Ten’s Hoosiers, ranked 20th. In the first quarter, Indiana’s Thomas Lewis caught a spectacular 75 yard touchdown pass from John Paci. With :09 left in the first, Virginia Tech countered when Maurice DeShazo connected with Dwayne Thomas for a 13 yard touchdown pass. It was 7-7 at the end of one quarter. Early in the second quarter, Tech scored again on a 6 yard run by Joe Swarm. Indiana responded with two field goals of 26 and 40 yards by Bill Manolopoulos.
Tech led 14-13 just before the half, but Indiana was rallying. With 35 seconds left and the ball on the Tech 49, IU’s Paci dropped back to pass and was hit by Hokie defenders George DelRicco and DeWayne Knight. The ball popped loose and bounced into the hands of Tech end Lawrence Lewis who sprinted 20 yards to the end zone.
Suddenly, the Tech lead was 21-13 and the Hokies had a big momentum boost going into the locker room. But the half wasn't quite over. Indiana returned the ensuing kickoff to the Tech 42, then Paci completed a 9 yard pass. The Hokies thought time expired and started trotting off the field. The officials ruled, however, that IU had called timeout with one second remaining (video).
The Hoosiers lined up for a 51-yard field goal. When the ball was snapped, Tech's Jeff Holland pushed through the line and tipped the kick. The ball wobbled in the air and Hokie defensive back Antonio Banks settled under it at the 20. Banks started to his right, then reversed his field as blockers formed. A block by teammate Torrian Gray at the IU 15 cleared the last obstacle and Banks strutted into the end zone untouched with an 80 yard return (video). The score stood at 28-13 at the half. Tech's 21 points were the most ever scored in the second quarter of the 18-year bowl game.
Niether team scored in the third period. With 9 minutes remaining in the game, Tech scored two quick touchdowns to seal the Hoosier’s fate. DeShazo hit Antonio Williams with a 42 yard touchdown strike and Tommy Edwards added a 5 yard touchdown run. Ryan Williams’ 42 yard field goal with six minutes remaining took the score to 45-13. Indiana did manage to put together a late drive with Chris Dittoe connecting with Lewis for his second long touchdown of the day, this time on a 42 yard reception.
Maurice DeShazo won the Outstanding Offensive Player award after completing 19 of 33 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Antonio Freeman finished the day with five catches for 66 yards. Banks, who had an interception, a fumble recovery and nine tackles to go with his touchdown return, was named the Outstanding Defensive Player. The Hokies were credited with seven quarterback sacks in the game and allowed an Independence Bowl record-low 11 first downs, including just six during the first three quarters. It was the first win in the first bowl appearance of the Frank Beamer era at Virginia Tech
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Maurice DeShazo |
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Ryan Williams had 9 of Tech's points. |
Tommy Edwards scores. |
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Joe Swarm scores on 6 yard run. |
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The moment of truth: Jeff Holland blocks the field goal. |
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Attendance: 33,819
Scoring Summary
First Quarter IU- Lewis 75 yard pass from Paci (Manolopoulos kick) VT- Thomas 13 yard pass from DeShazo (Williams kick)
Second Quarter VT- Swarm 6 run (Williams kick) IU- FG Manolopoulos 26 IU- FG Manolopoulos 40 VT- Lewis 20 yard fumble return (Williams kick) VT- Banks 80 blocked FG return (Williams kick)
Fourth Quarter VT- Freeman 42 yard pass from DeShazo (Williams kick) VT- Edwards 5 run (Williams kick) VT- FG Williams 42 IU- Lewis 42 yard pass from Dittoe (Manolopoulos kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing VT- Thomas 24-65, Swarm 9-40, Edwards 5-15 IU- Thurman 1-37, Chaney 11-34
Passing VT- DeShazo 19-33-193IU- Paci 10-22-171, Dittoe 7-14-105
Receiving VT, Freeman 5-66, Thomas 4-27, Burke 3-26, C. White 2-35, Sanders 2-15 IU, Lewis 6-177, Hales 2-49, Matthews 2-35
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