Observations on the first half of the 2012 Sugar Bowl, 10-6

Virginia Tech comes up with 3 points in two red zone trips, and Michigan converts one red zone to match them with 3 points. The Hokies and Wolverines score 3 points off one turnover each.

Offense has looked as bad as any time this season, and only put up 145 net yards of offense, and 44 rushing yards with 8 first downs, and was 5 of 9 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Denard Robinson was 7 of 13 for 90 yards and a TD, a sack and a pick plus gained only 11 yards in 10 carries. Fitzgerald Touissaint gained 21 yards in 4 carries. Junior Hemingway grabs a big 45 yard TD pass to put the Wolverines on the board.

Defense came up big with a red zone stop on 4th down. Thomas Gordon has 6 tackles, and Jordan Kovacs has 5 to lead the defense. Kenny Demens, Blake Countess, Desmond Morgan and Mike Martin have 4 each. Logan Thomas is 8 of 11 for 115 yards, and ran for another 25 yards on 8 carries. David Wilson has 23 yards on 8 carries after a 22 yard loss in their first red zone that took them out of a TD opportunity. The Hokies have 185 yards of net offense, 67 on the ground with 10 first downs and are 4 of 9 on 3rd and 4th down conversions.

Special Teams ended the half by forcing a fumble on the kickoff by J.B. Fitzgerald, and recovered by Delonte Hollowell; it led to a field goal. Long Snapper Jareth Glanda came up with a big grab on the tipped pass by Drew Dileo on the fake field goal.Will Hagerup was replaced by Matt Wile after two miserable punts of 24 and 26 yards. Wile was run into on his punt, and the penalty kept out TD drive alive. Martavious Odoms had a 15 yard return, and Mike Cox opened the game with a 3 yard return.

2nd Half will be a tough defensive struggle. We really need to find a way to reverse the 4 minute time of possession advantage that the Hokies gained with an 8 minute first quarter advantage. Dave Molk isn't able to go more than 75% due to his foot injury, but hopefully the offense will pick him up. Go Blue!