Hokies seeking 4th bowl win in last 5 years vs. Arkansas

By AP
Published

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) No. 18 Virginia Tech (9-4, 6-2 ACC) vs. Arkansas (7-5, 3-5 SEC), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN).

Line: Virginia Tech by 5.

Series Record: First meeting.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The Hokies are looking for their fourth bowl victory in the last five seasons. A win would give them their first 10-win season since 2011 and make Justin Fuente the first Virginia Tech coach to win 10 games in his first season. Arkansas is looking to become the only SEC West program to win a bowl game in each of the last three straight seasons. The Razorbacks looking for their fourth win against a ranked opponent this season.

KEY MATCHUP

Virginia Tech QB Jerod Evans vs. Arkansas LB Brooks Ellis: The dynamic Evans has already established school single-season records for yards passing, TD passes and total yards from scrimmage. But he can also run the ball, ranking 10th in the ACC at 58.4 yards per game along with 10 TDs. Ellis, a senior, is the rock of the Arkansas defense and is 15 tackles shy of 300 for his career.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Virginia Tech: WR Isaiah Ford had 12 catches for 227 yards and a TD in the Independence Bowl win vs. Tulsa last season. He is the only ACC player to hold sole possession of his school's record for receptions (204), yards receiving (2,911) and TD catches (24).

Arkansas: RB Rawleigh Williams III has reached the 100-yard rushing plateau in a league-best seven games this season while his 1,326 yards rushing are the fifth-best single-season total in school history. Williams rushed for 205 yards and four TDs on 15 carries earlier this season against Mississippi State.

FACTS & FIGURES

Virginia Tech has played well in the state of North Carolina this year, beating the North Carolina Tar Heels 34-3 and the Duke Blue Devils 24-21. ... Arkansas QB Austin Allen has thrown multiple TD passes in eight of 12 games. .. Arkansas and Boise State are the only two FBS teams to have a 300-yard passer and a 1,300-yard rusher in each of the last two seasons. ... Arkansas is averaged 32.9 points per game over the last three seasons, fourth-best in the SEC. ... Arkansas WR Drew Morgan looks to lead the team in yards receiving in back-to-back seasons since Marcus Monk.

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