West Virginia stomps Clemson in Orange Bowl
By Sports Network
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  West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Willie Milhouse is picked up by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., Jan. 4, 2012. (JOE SKIPPER/Reuters) |
MIAMI - Tavon Austin's four touchdown catches spearheaded a record-setting performance, as No. 23 West Virginia overwhelmed No. 14 Clemson, 70-33, in Wednesday's Orange Bowl.
The Mountaineers (10-3), who closed the season with four straight wins, set a record for most points scored in a bowl game. Geno Smith threw for 401 yards and six touchdowns without an interception, while Shawne Alston ran for 78 yards and a pair of scores. Darwin Cook returned a fumble 99 yards for a second-quarter, game-changing touchdown.
Tajh Boyd threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns but had two interceptions and a fumble for Clemson, which was making its first-ever BCS bowl appearance. Andre Ellington ran for 116 yards and a score and DeAndre Hopkins caught 10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in the loss. The Tigers (10-4) dropped four of six to end the season.
