Michigan savors sweet OT victory

January 4, 2012 at 12:15a.m.

Photo by: Associated Press

Virginia Tech wide receiver D.J. Coles (18) runs between Michigan cornerback Courtney Avery (5), linebacker Kenny Demens (25) and safety Thomas Gordon (30) during the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Tuesday. Michigan won 23-20 in overtime.

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS

Brendan Gibbons drilled a 37-yard field goal down the middle in overtime to lift Michigan to a 23-20 victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday night.

The victory capped an impressive debut season for head coach Brady Hoke, who has led the Wolverines (11-2) back to prominence with a BCS bowl victory.

Denard Robinson highlighted an otherwise unspectacular night with touchdown passes of 45 and 18 yards to Junior Hemingway.

Virginia Tech (11-3) had more than double Michigan’s total yards, 377-184, and had 22 first downs to Michigan’s 12 but settled for four field goals in regulation by third-string kicker Justin Myer.

However, Myer was unable to connect on his fifth try from 37 yards away in the opening possession of overtime.

Orange Bowl

MIAMI

Clemson (10-3) will face West Virginia (9-3) in a chilly Orange Bowl tonight, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins is the player who most concerns the Mountaineers.

“Clemson’s offense runs through Sammy,” defensive back Eain Smith said.

“You eliminate Sammy’s big plays, you eliminate their offense.”

Well, not entirely. Boyd set school records for yards passing, passing touchdowns and total offense. Andre Ellington has rushed for 1,062 yards and 10 scores.