Virginia Tech Will Face Cincinnati In The Military Bowl

The Hokies celebrate with the 2014 Military Bowl trophy. (Photo by Ivan Morozov)

Virginia Tech will play the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Military Bowl on Monday, December 31.  The game will be played in Annapolis, MD at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.  Kickoff is scheduled for noon, and the game will be televised by ESPN. 

Cincinnati had a great season, going 10-2, with their only two blemishes coming at the hands of Temple and unbeaten UCF.  The Bearcats won their only game against Power 5 competition this season, defeating UCLA 26-17 in the first game of the season.  However, the Bruins finished just 3-9 this year.  Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell coaches Cincinnati.

The Bearcats are led by tailback Michael Warren, who rushed for 1,163 yards, as well as dual threat quarterback Desmond Ridder.  Ridder completed 62.5% of his passes for 2,359 yards, with 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions.  He also ran for 574 yards and five touchdowns.  He’ll be one of the more difficult matchups at quarterback that the Hokies have faced this year.  Offensive tackle Dino Boyd was a First Team All-AAC selection.

Defensively, Cincinnati ranks No. 8 nationally in rushing defense, No. 25 in pass defense, and No. 8 in total defense.  Defensive tackle Cortez Broughton had 17.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the season, and was a first-team All-AAC selection.  Defensive tackle Marquise Copeland, defensive end Kimoni Fitz, and safety James Wiggins were all Second Team All-AAC picks.

This is the second time the Hokies will face Cincinnati in the Military Bowl.  Virginia Tech beat the Bearcats 33-17 at the conclusion of the 2014 season.

We’ll have much more coverage of Cincinnati as we get closer to the game.

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  1. We had a great time there in 2014, but plan to go early. Route 50 was jam packed on the way there.

        1. That’s correct… after we lost to BC that year i figure there was no way we’ll loose to cincy… Lost 16 – 0 in the rain.

  2. I live in Cincy and so see the Bearcats play sometimes. Michael Warren is an elite running back. I believe I’m correct that he was Ohio Player of the Year as a H.S. senior.

    1. I live in Columbus and travel to Cincy to see UC play; my son is in their marching band. They’re legit ALTHOUGH their sched was weak. Warren is a compact beast and the O-line opens holes for sure. UC is similar to Tech in that they coach up 3-star kids who hopefully improve and mature as they become juniors and seniors. Their defense has the ‘fly to the ball’ mentality as well with smaller, quicker dudes at LB and in the secondary. Their difference maker is my mind though is their QB. Desmond Ridder is a player and he’s cool under fire. I think he’s a redshirt frosh or soph. too. I haven’t seen him rattled all year. Don’t know how to defense them but hopefully ‘In Bud We Trust’ will be able to dial up something.

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