Williams runs for 2 TDs to lead Va Tech past Tenn.
APNews
Jan 01, 2010
Ryan Williams isn't keeping track of his records.
"Someone eventually will break them anyway," Virginia Tech's fantastic redshirt freshman running back said.
Probably, but in just one season Williams has already made a quite an impression.
He capped a brilliant debut season with a record-setting game, running for two touchdowns to power No. 12 Virginia Tech past Tennessee 37-14 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Thursday night.
"I just saw green," said Williams of his two touchdown runs. "When I see green, I take advantage of it."
The Hokies (10-3) took the lead with a field goal in the final seconds of the first half and outscored Tennessee 20-0 in the second half on their way to a sixth straight 10-win season.
The only team with a longer active streak is Texas with nine.
Williams, a redshirt freshman, had 117 yards rushing to become Virginia Tech's single-season rushing leader with 1,655 yards. Williams also set Atlantic Coast Conference records with 21 rushing touchdowns and 22 total touchdowns this season but said "I really don't care about records."
The Hokies outrushed Tennessee (7-6) 229-5.
"Ryan was something tonight, particularly at the start of the second half," said Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. "We got after them good."
Tennessee's star running back, Montario Hardesty, could not keep up with Williams. The Volunteers' senior had 18 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown.
"We got gassed; we got tired," said Tennessee defensive end Chris Walker. "You could tell especially on defense we weren't making plays.
"Ryan Williams is a really great player."
Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton was taken to a local hospital after the game for precautionary reasons, according to a school spokesman. Crompton suffered an undisclosed injury late in the game.
Vols junior safety Eric Berry confirmed after the game he will enter the NFL draft.
Tennessee was hurt by two turnovers which led to 10 points for Virginia Tech, and a dropped pass that cost the Vols a touchdown.
"For whatever reason, we didn't play well today," Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said. "I was surprised we weren't able to run the ball better."
Rashad Carmichael intercepted a pass by Crompton in the first quarter to set up Williams' first touchdown run. Crompton fumbled when sacked by Nekos Brown late in the fourth quarter. John Graves recovered at the Tennessee 13 to set up Matt Waldron's third field goal, a 22-yarder.
Virginia Tech players dumped a cooler of water on Beamer seconds later. Virginia Tech fans in the sellout crowd of 73,777 cheered, and Beamer raised his fists in response.