Déjà Mizzou: Hogs blow 24-point lead in Belk Bowl loss to Hokies

Arkansas wide receiver Keon Hatcher (4) tries to escape Virginia Tech defensive back Terrell Edmunds (25) in the first quarter during the Belk Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
Arkansas wide receiver Keon Hatcher (4) tries to escape Virginia Tech defensive back Terrell Edmunds (25) in the first quarter during the Belk Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

— Arkansas' 13th game of 2016 looked remarkably similar to its 12th one.

The Razorbacks blew a 24-point lead - the program's largest in the modern era - in a 35-24 loss to Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl. Arkansas finished the season with a 7-6 record and losses in its final two games.

Virginia Tech (10-4) outscored the Razorbacks 35-0 after halftime. The Hokies scored three touchdowns off three Arkansas turnovers in the third quarter, then took the lead on Travon McMillian's 6-yard touchdown run with 12:03 remaining.

"Our kids have phenomenal character, work ethic and toughness," Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. "Playing well was important to them today and we didn't do it in the first half. They regrouped and said they were going to do it one play at a time and they came out and fought, and scratched and clawed and found a way to get the job done."

In an effort similar to its Nov. 25 loss at Missouri, Arkansas failed to score after staking a big halftime lead. The Razorbacks blew a 17-point lead in that game.

Arkansas' previous record for largest blown lead was 21 points in a 34-31 overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe in 2012.

"The second half has been our melting point," Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. "... I've never seen anything like it and the tide turn against us like that in all three phases of the game."

The Razorbacks scored on four of five possessions to start the game and led the Hokies 24-0 at halftime. Arkansas had four turnovers and eight penalties after halftime, however, helping Virginia Tech erase the deficit in less than 18 minutes of game time.

One of the penalties was an unsportsmanlike conduct against receiver Drew Morgan, who was ejected.

"I was told (by the officials) that he spit in the guy's face," Bielema said. "That is very embarrassing as a head coach. I don't want Drew to be remembered for that. When you act out of character, you get out of character results."

After amassing 280 yards of offense before halftime, the Razorbacks had only 34 yards on 30 plays in the second half.

Arkansas' three turnovers in the third quarter set-up Virginia Tech with a short field every time. The Hokies' first three touchdown drives after halftime were of 30, 44 and 5 yards.

Virginia Tech's go-ahead touchdown capped a 10-play, 76-yard drive that was the team's most impressive of the game. The Razorbacks' fourth turnover set-up another short drive of 8 yards that quarterback Jerod Evans capped with a 1-yard run.

Evans finished the game with 87 rushing yards to go along with his 243 passing yards. He completed 21 of 33 passes and had two touchdowns with one interception.

Austin Allen began the game hot for Arkansas and completed 13 of 16 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns before halftime. Allen had touchdown passes of 28 yards to Cheyenne O'Grady and 12 yards to Keon Hatcher, and scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper to help the Razorbacks to their big lead.

But Virginia Tech's pass rush rattled Allen after halftime and he finished the game 18 of 31 for 278 yards, and was intercepted three times.

Allen was sacked six times. The Razorbacks finished with 36 rushing yards on 34 attempts.

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