A look back at the 2008 Orange Bowl

Kansas came out of nowhere to make it to the Orange Bowl in 2008. Their opponent was Virginia Tech out of the ACC.

For the season, Kansas posted a 11-1 record under head coach Mark Mangino. The team’s only hiccup on the year was against rival and fourth-ranked Missouri, 38-17. The Jayhawks outscored their first three opponents on the season, 162-16, showing great things could be soon to come. Kansas’s first Big 12 game of the season was in Manhattan against 24th-ranked Kansas State. Quarterback Todd Reesing led the way, as Kansas earned a 24-21 win. The Jayhawks despite losing to Missouri, and not getting a Big 12 title game appearance, still got a BCS bowl bid, thanks to the Tigers falling to Oklahoma in the title game.

Going into the Orange Bowl, everyone was looking at Kansas’s 2nd-ranked offense in the nation and Virginia Tech’s 2nd-ranked defense. Something had to give. Reesing and running back Brandon McAnderson were big reasons why Kansas had such a prolific offense. McAnderson just passed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. Virginia Tech went with the two quarterback system of Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. The Hokies had a record of of 11-2 on the year, so the system did work.

It was Kansas’s defense which provided the first blow in the game. Cornerback Aqib Talib picked off a Taylor throw and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. A Reesing touchdown pass midway in the second quarter gave the Jayhawks a 17-point advantage.

The Hokies did manage to get on the scoreboard before halftime on a Brandon Ore rushing touchdown. In the third quarter, the Hokies pulled even closer on a punt-return which came back 84 yards for the touchdown. Eddie Royal received the punt then lateraled it to Justin Harper, who in turn ran for the touchdown.

Another Virginia Tech turnover propelled Kansas’s next score, early in the fourth quarter. This time it was a Glennon interception. Reesing scored the touchdown on a quarterback draw, putting Kansas up by 10. Virginia Tech scored a late touchdown, then went for an onside-kick which Kansas recovered, preserving the win.

Talib was named MVP of the game. Kansas outgained Virginia Tech 344-306 in what was a close game. The deciding factor was those three interceptions thrown by Hokies quarterbacks, two of which led to Kansas touchdowns.

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