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Jan. 2, 2006

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery

Post-Game Audio Clip

• Head Coach Bobby Petrino

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Virginia Tech had a much better experience in the River City this time around.

Marcus Vick threw two touchdown passes and the 12th-ranked Hokies rallied to beat No. 15 Louisville 35-24 in the Gator Bowl on Monday.

Virginia Tech overcame numerous penalties, the absence of a key offensive lineman and the ejection of a defensive leader to rebound from a surprising loss to Florida State on the same field in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game a month ago.

The Hokies (11-2) scored on three consecutive possessions in the second half, turning a 17-10 deficit into a 28-24 lead. James Anderson sealed the victory when he intercepted Hunter Cantwell's pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown with 5:04 to play.

Vick was huge in directing the comeback, which snapped a five-game winning streak for Louisville (9-3).

He completed a 54-yard pass to David Clowney, and Cedric Humes scored on the next play from 24 yards. The Hokies made the 2-point conversion when Vick scrambled right and laced a pass to Josh Morgan, cutting the lead to 24-21.

Chris Ellis sacked Cantwell on the ensuing drive and knocked the ball loose. Anderson recovered near midfield, and Vick did the rest.

He threw two deep passes that might have been caught if not for pass interference penalties. He completed another sharp throw to Clowney to set up a first-and-goal. Two plays later, he found Jeff King for the go-ahead score.

Tech's vaunted defense, which entered the game ranked No. 1 in the nation, took over from there.

Anderson stepped in front of Cantwell's pass and made a one-handed catch. He scampered down the sideline and then avoided Cantwell's tackle and eased into the end zone.