2012 Sugar Bowl
The 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 78th edition of the annual postseason college football bowl game known as the Sugar Bowl. It featured the Michigan Wolverines and the Virginia Tech Hokies on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game was the final contest of the 2011 football season for both teams and was the third game of the 2011–2012 Bowl Championship Series. The game ended with 23–20 Michigan victory in overtime. Michigan represented the Big Ten Conference as the at-large team from the conference, while Virginia Tech represented the Atlantic Coast Conference as its at-large team. The game was televised in the United States on ESPN and an estimated 9.6 million viewers watched the broadcast live. This was the first Sugar Bowl since 2000, as well as only the sixth since World War II and the tenth overall, not to feature a Southeastern Conference team. This was because the top two SEC teams, the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, played each other in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, also held at the Superdome. This was the last SEC-less Sugar Bowl until January 2021, when the Ohio State Buckeyes faced off against the Clemson Tigers.
Michigan was offered a berth after it finished the season with a 10–2 record—its highest win total since the 2006 season—that ended with a 40–34 win against arch-rival Ohio State. Virginia Tech was offered a berth after it finished its season 11–2, which culminated in a 38–10 loss in the 2011 ACC Championship Game to Clemson. Media attention focused on the quality of the bowl selection, as both teams were criticized for not having strong schedules. Attention also focused on how Virginia Tech's defense would contain Michigan QB Denard Robinson.
The game kicked off at 8:32 pm Eastern Standard Time, and Virginia Tech scored first, converting its first possession into on a field goal. Virginia Tech added another field goal in the second quarter, but Michigan scored a touchdown in the final minute to take a 7–6 lead, and then recovered a Virginia Tech fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Michigan kicked a field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 10–6 lead. Michigan converted its first possession of the second half into a touchdown to take a 17–6 lead, but Virginia Tech added a field goal to narrow the lead to 17–9. In the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech scored a touchdown to narrow Michigan's lead to two points, and then converted a two-point conversion to tie the game. Michigan responded with a field goal, but Virginia Tech tied the game with a field goal with two seconds remaining. In overtime, Virginia Tech appeared to score the go-ahead touchdown, but the call on the field was overturned upon video review. On the next play, Virginia Tech missed a crucial field goal. Michigan converted its field goal opportunity to win the game 23–20 in overtime.
In recognition of his performance, Michigan's Junior Hemingway was named the game's most valuable player.
Team selection
In the 2011 college football season, the SEC champion had an auto-bid to the Sugar Bowl. However, the SEC champion, the LSU Tigers, were ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings and were selected to play in the BCS Championship Game. The second place SEC team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, was also selected to the BCS title game, so the Sugar Bowl Committee was forced to turn to other conferences to select two teams. After bypassing teams such as Stanford, Kansas State and Boise State, the committee selected the Michigan Wolverines and the Virginia Tech Hokies.Michigan
Michigan replaced its head coach prior to the season, with Rich Rodriguez being fired and Brady Hoke replacing him. Michigan began its 2011 college football season against Western Michigan and won 34–10 in a game that lasted a little under three quarters, as numerous thunderstorms first delayed and then ultimately postponed the game. In spite of the game ending early, Michigan was awarded the win. Michigan hosted Notre Dame in its next game, which was the first night game in Michigan Stadium history. After Notre Dame built its lead to 17 points—24–7 after the third quarter—Michigan came back to take the lead 28–24 with only 1:02 to go in the game. Notre Dame scored with 30 seconds remaining to take a 31–28 lead, but Michigan drove 80 yards in 28 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown and win the game 35–31. Michigan ended its non-conference schedule with comfortable wins against both Eastern Michigan and San Diego State.Michigan began its conference schedule against Minnesota in the battle for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan recorded its first shutout since 2007 with a 58–0 victory. Michigan then traveled to Evanston, Illinois, for its first road game of the season to face Northwestern. Michigan scored 28 unanswered points in the second half, coming back from a ten-point deficit at halftime to win 42–24. Michigan followed its trip to Evanston with a trip to East Lansing, Michigan to face its in-state rival Michigan State. Michigan suffered its first defeat of the season, losing 28–14, its fourth straight loss to Michigan State.
Following a bye week, Michigan returned home to face Purdue in its homecoming game. Michigan handily defeated Purdue, 36–14. Michigan then traveled to Iowa City, Iowa to face Iowa. Michigan suffered its second and final defeat of the season, losing 24–16. Michigan then traveled to Champaign, Illinois, for its final road game to face Illinois. Michigan won 31–14, with the defense performing in a matter that made Greg Mattison, Michigan's defensive coordinator, emotional as he told reporters: "That was a Michigan defense.... Nobody knows what went on inside of these guys and for them to stick together and to play like they played tonight, and like they have tried in every game, it says a lot about them." Michigan returned home to face Nebraska and once again dominated its opponent, winning 45–17. In the final game of its regular season, Michigan faced Ohio State in the game known simply as "The Game." Michigan snapped its seven-game losing streak against Ohio State, winning 40–34.
The 2011 Wolverines, the first team to win eight home games in Michigan Stadium in a season, led the Big Ten Conference in rushing defense and opponent third-down percentage. The Wolverines featured consensus All-American and Rimington Trophy Winner David Molk and two 1,000-yard rushers,. Robinson led the Big Ten Conference in total offense/game and wide receiver Junior Hemingway led the conference in yards per reception.
Virginia Tech
Controversy
Almost immediately following the team selection, controversy arose regarding the two teams selected. Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins, whose team failed to qualify for a BCS game because it did not finish in the top 14 of the BCS standings, criticized the potential selection of Michigan after his team's debilitating 42–39 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game, "I don't see how you get punished for playing and someone else gets to sit on the couch and get what they want". Michigan State had defeated the University of Michigan 28–14 in East Lansing earlier that season. Others criticized the selection of Virginia Tech, stating that both Kansas State and Boise State were more deserving of the bid and that the bowl committee had chosen a familiar team as opposed to a new one. The bowl was considered the lowest-ranked match-up of two teams in the history of the BCS.Game summary
The game kicked off at 8:32 pm Eastern Standard Time in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Official attendance was listed at 64,512.First quarter
Following the coin toss, Virginia Tech elected to defer to the second half. Michigan elected to receive, which ensured that Virginia Tech would start the second half on offense. Justin Myer kicked off for the Hokies and Michael Cox returned the kick to Michigan's 34-yard line. Michigan began the game missing starting C David Molk, who suffered a foot injury during the pre-game warmup. Michigan went three and out on its first drive that featured two fumbled snaps by Denard Robinson, Michigan was forced to punt. Tech received the ball at its own 37-yard line. Logan Thomas completed his first pass to Danny Coale and then completed another pass, this time to Jarret Boykins for 14 yards and a first down. Following a David Wilson run for loss of four yards, Thomas completed an 18-yard pass to D.J. Coles. Wilson then had two consecutive carries for eight yards and one-yard respectively. Following a Thomas three-yard run, Wilson ran for 11 yards to the Michigan four-yard line. On the next play Wilson rushed for a loss of 22 yards. Tech was forced to settle for a 37-yard field goal after it committed a delay of game penalty on second down, and after attempts on second and third down did not succeed.On the post-field goal kickoff, Martavious Odoms returned the ball 16 yards to the Michigan 16-yard line; however, Michigan committed a holding penalty on the play and was forced to start on its own eight-yard line. Michigan's second drive was more successful than the first, with Denard Robinson completing an 11-yard pass to Kelvin Grady on third down, and Fitzgerald Toussaint rushing for 14 yards on the next play. The drive ended, however, following the Toussaint run as Robinson threw a pass that Kyle Fuller intercepted at Tech's 28-yard line. Tech then embarked on another long drive, with Thomas rushing for 11 yards on second down and finding Boykin for ten yards after a 15-yard illegal block penalty. After a false start penalty made it third-and-ten, Thomas completed a 27-yard pass to Coale. Following a three-yard loss on a Thomas run and an incomplete pass, Tech again converted on third-and-long, this time with on a 13-yard Thomas to Coles pass. Following two short rushes, the time ran out in the first quarter.
Second quarter
Virginia Tech continued its drive at the Michigan 31-yard line. Logan Thomas rushed for five yards, which set up a Justin Myer 43-yard field goal and gave Tech a 6–0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Myer kicked the ball out of bounds, which, by rule, gave Michigan the ball at its own 40-yard line. Michigan obtained some success on its drive, with Denard Robinson rushing for three yards, completing a three-yard pass to Jeremy Gallon, and then completing an eight-yard pass to Kevin Koger for a first down. The drive, however, stalled as Robinson was sacked and then threw two incompletions. Michigan was forced to punt and Tech received the ball at its own 26-yard line.Following two short running plays, Thomas threw a 16-yard pass to Coale for a first down. On the ensuing play, David Wilson ran 32 yards for a first down to Michigan's 24-yard line. Josh Ogelsby followed Wilson's run with an 11-yard run of his own. Ogelsby then rushed for five yards and one-yard respectively. Thomas followed these plays with a three-yard rush, setting up a fourth-and-one at the Michigan 4-yard line. Instead of kicking the field goal that would have given Tech a 9–0 lead, Frank Beamer decided to go for the first down. Thomas was stopped for no gain and Tech turned the ball over on downs.
Following the turnover, Michigan started on its own four-yard line. Fitzgerald Toussaint ran for six yards, and Robinson followed with a 16-yard run. Michigan's offense stalled on its next three plays forcing a punt. On the punt, however, Tech committed a roughing the kicker penalty that gave Michigan 15 yards and an automatic first down. Toussaint ran the ball for a two-yard gain, and Michigan called a timeout. Following the timeout, Robinson rushed for five yards and then completed a 14-yard pass to Toussaint for a first down at the Tech 38-yard line. Robinson was sacked on the next play for a loss of seven yards and then threw an incompletion to make it third-and-seventeen. On the next play, however, Robinson threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Junior Hemingway that saw Hemingway reach around a Tech defender to make the original catch, and then sprint into the endzone. Brendan Gibbons added the extra point to give Michigan a 7–6 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Tech's Tony Gregory returned the ball 27 yards, however, Michigan's J.B. Fitzgerald forced a fumble that Michigan's Delonte Hollowell recovered at Tech's 26-yard line. Gallon rushed for seven yards on the first play before Robinson threw two incomplete passes. Michigan brought out Gibbons to attempt a field goal, however, Michigan attempted a fake field goal that saw Michigan's long snapper Jareth Glanda make a catch for 11 yards after the ball hit a Virginia Tech defender in the head. With eight seconds remaining in the half, Robinson threw a seven-yard screen pass to Vincent Smith, which moved the ball to the Tech one-yard line. With two seconds remaining on the clock, Michigan elected to again send out its field goal unit. Michigan intentionally took a delay of game penalty to move the ball back in order for Gibbons to have a better angle to kick the field goal. Gibbons converted the 24-yard field goal as time expired, giving Michigan a 10–6 lead at halftime.