MIAMI (AP) -Aqib Talib and Kansas didn’t look too nervous.
Talib returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown and the Jayhawks got off to a fast start in their first Bowl Championship Series game, grabbing a 7-0 lead over Virginia Tech after one quarter in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night.
The Jayhawks (11-1) had four sacks in the first, and threw freshman Tyrod Taylor for losses of 11 and 8 yards on his first two plays as part of the Hokies quarterback rotation.
Talib’s interception on Taylor’s throw occurred during Virginia Tech’s second series, after Todd Reesing led a 13-play drive to the Hokies 27 that ended on a missed field goal by Scott Webb.
Virginia Tech (11-2), like Kansas, came into the game seeking its first 12-win season. But the Hokies were more likely to be comfortable in the big game atmosphere.
The Hokies have played in five major bowls and two Atlantic Coast Conference championship games in the past 13 years, while the Jayhawks were making their first appearance in a major bowl in 39 years, since the 1969 Orange Bowl.
Eddie Royal returned the opening kickoff 59 yards for the Hokies to the Kansas 41. But after Sean Glennon hit Justin Harper for 11 yards and a first down at the Jayhawks 26, Taylor replaced Glennon and Kansas defense teed off on him.
Russell Brorsen sacked the running half of the quarterback rotation for 11 yards on the first play, and Joe Mortensen got him for 8 yards on the next play.
Two plays later, the Hokies punted. They also were hampered by the absence of top tailback Branden Ore, suspended for the first quarter for violating a team rule during practice.
Taylor also replaced Glennon after two runs for 12 yards by Kenny Lewis Jr. on the Hokies’ second possession. Two plays after Taylor came on and hit Royal for 11 yards and another first down, Talib read him perfectly, jumped an out pattern and went untouched down the sideline.
The Hokies later tried a 48-yard field goal by Jud Dunlevy, but it was short.
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