College Football: Top 5 Bowl Games of the 2016 Season

By Eric Robinson | Jan 3, 2017

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett (80) catches a pass for a touchdown against Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) during the fourth quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) celebrates his score with offensive lineman Wyatt Teller (57) and fullback Sam Rogers (45) during the fourth quarter of the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Hokies win the Belk Bowl 35-24 over the Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) celebrates his score with offensive lineman Wyatt Teller (57) and fullback Sam Rogers (45) during the fourth quarter of the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Hokies win the Belk Bowl 35-24 over the Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Belk Bowl – Virginia Tech 35, Arkansas 24

A 24-0 lead by the Arkansas Razorbacks at halftime deemed to be a complete dismantling of the Hokies. The hard-nosed Virginia Tech team looked absolutely beaten in all phases of the game.

Luckily, there was a second half.

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A quick turnover by Arkansas presented an opportunity for the Hokies. They capitalized with a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jerod Evans. An interception by linebacker Anthony Shegog gave Virginia Tech another chance to close the deficit. A touchdown pass by Evans to fullback Sam Rogers narrowed the deficit to 24-14.

The next offensive play for Arkansas resulted in another turnover for the Hokies defense. The turnover also resulted in another touchdown pass by Evans. Before you knew it, the scoreboard read 24-21 with plenty of momentum in favor of Virginia Tech.

A six-yard touchdown run by running back Travon McMillian gave the Hokies a 28-24 lead early in the fourth quarter. For good measure, Evans ran for another score with under seven minutes remaining in the game. The score extended the lead to 35-24 and capped off 35 unanswered points by the Hokies. The 24-point comeback was the largest in Virginia Tech’s history.