Kansas gets it done on defense

MIAMI -- The surprising Kansas Jayhawks achieved the unexpected again Thursday night -- they won the Orange Bowl with defense.

While their high-powered offense was stymied most of the night, the Jayhawks came up with three interceptions and beat Virginia Tech, 24-21, in the Orange Bowl to cap one of the finest seasons in school history.

The turnovers led to 17 Kansas points, including Aqib Talib’s 60-yard return for the game’s first score. He was chosen the game’s most valuable player.

“Everybody talks about Virginia Tech’s defense,” said safety Justin Thornton, who also had an interception. “We came out to show we can play defense at Kansas too.”

No. 8 Kansas (12-1), perhaps the biggest surprise in college football this season, won in its first Bowl Championship Series bowl game to set a team record for victories. A year ago the Jayhawks went 6-6.

“People kept telling us we couldn’t win against this team, that we couldn’t win the big game, that we had no chance,” quarterback Todd Reesing said. “We took that to heart. We like being underdogs.”

The No. 5 Hokies (11-3) lost their fourth consecutive BCS bowl game.

It was a bittersweet finish for the Hokies, who revived campus spirits this season after the April 16 massacre that left 33 students and professors dead.

“I think we still accomplished something this season,” tackle Duane Brown said. “We couldn’t finish off on a high note.”

The Jayhawks played in their first major bowl since the 1969 Orange Bowl, and they made a big splash at the start, racing to a 17-0 lead after 23 minutes.

Virginia Tech closed the deficit to 17-14 before Sean Glennon was intercepted by Thornton, whose 30-yard return gave Kansas the ball at the two-yard line with 11 minutes left. Reesing scored on the next play.

“Now I feel like USC and Florida and them feel every day,” Kansas tackle Anthony Collins said.