2009 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game

The 2009 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game featured the Virginia Tech Hokies, of the ACC, and the Alabama Crimson Tide, of the SEC, on September 5, 2009. The game took place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome. In the 2008 edition, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers 34-10. It was Virginia Tech's first appearance in the series and Alabama's second consecutive appearance. Alabama went on to win the match-up 34-24, comining from behind with 18 points in the final quarter. It was at the time the 800th official victory in the history of Alabama's football program.
The two teams had last met in the 1998 Music City Bowl, which ended in a 38-7 Virginia Tech victory. That win is Tech's sole triumph in the series between the two teams, which had stood at 10-1 in Alabama's favor. The series also includes Virginia Tech's worst football defeat—a 77-6 loss in 1973 to an Alabama team that eventually won the national championship.
Game Summary
Alabama played in and won the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game for the second consecutive year, defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies 34-24. After Bama opened the game by kicking two field goals, Dyrell Roberts of Tech ran back a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to give VT a 7-6 lead. After a third Leigh Tiffin field goal Virginia Tech intercepted a Greg McElroy pass and took possession at the Alabama 14, but the Tide defense held up and the Hokies settled for a field goal and a 10-9 lead. Alabama responded by driving 76 yards for a touchdown and a 16-10 lead, the big plays coming on a 14-yard run by Mark Ingram and passes of 16 and 10 yards from McElroy to Julio Jones. However, on the ensuing Virginia Tech possession three personal foul penalties and a pass interference penalty carried the Hokies downfield for a touchdown and a 17-16 lead. The score remained 17-16 after Leigh Tiffin missed a 36-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
In the third quarter Roy Upchurch fumbled the ball away at the Virginia Tech 9 after a long run and another opportunity was missed. Early in the fourth quarter, with Tech still leading by a point, McElroy hit Marquis Maze for a 48-yard completion to the Virginia Tech 6 and Mark Ingram scored a touchdown on the next play. A successful two-point conversion gave Alabama a 24-17 lead. Alabama got the ball back immediately when Virginia Tech fumbled the kickoff and Chris Rogers recovered for the Tide at the Tech 21. The ensuing Alabama drive stalled at the 3 but Leigh Tiffin's fourth field goal made the score 27-17. Strong special teams play by the Hokies and Alabama penalties victimized the Tide again as a long return and a personal foul set up a 32-yard run by Ryan Williams of Tech that cut the lead to 27-24. Alabama quickly struck back, as Ingram rushed for 39 yards, McElroy completed a 19-yard pass to tight end Colin Peek, and then McElroy threw to Ingram for an 18-yard touchdown and a 34-24 lead. Virginia Tech never threatened to score again and Alabama won its opener, 34-24.
Virginia Tech went on to go 10-3 on the season and finish tenth in the final AP poll. Alabama would finish the season a perfect 14-0, winning both the SEC and National Championships.
Scoring Summary

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See Also

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