MIAMI – Kansas didn’t do anything out of the ordinary to defeat Virginia Tech and capture the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl title. Well, at least nothing more unexpected than the 12-1 team had done already this season.

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The team that turned analysts’ predictions and preconceptions on their heads all season continued to upset college football’s natural order Thursday night in a way that has become strangely normal for the winningest team in the history of Kansas football.

Over the course of the season, the Jayhawks emerged from a decade-long stint of mediocrity to win 12 games and a BCS bowl. On Thursday night in Dolphin Stadium, the Jayhawks defeated Virginia Tech, 24-21, by beating the Hokies at their own game: special teams. The Jayhawks (12-1) overcame several exceptional kick and punt returns by Virginia Tech (11-3) with a timely blocked field goal and an expertly executed fake punt.

“We were able to make a big, big play on that punt and turn the game around with the blocked field goal,” Kansas junior wide receiver Dexton Fields said. “When we blocked the field goal it was really a big momentum-stopper and it gave us some extra confidence. If they would have been able to tie the game it would have let them pick up a lot of momentum.”

The blocked field goal may have been the biggest play in a game full of momentum swings, big hits and closely contested short-yardage struggles. With six minutes and 31 seconds to play in the third quarter, Virginia Tech was picking up steam. An 84-yard punt return touchdown by senior wide receiver Justin Harper with 11:35 remaining in the third pulled the Hokies within three points, 17-14, and the pro-Virginia Tech fans at Dolphin Stadium were at full volume.

The Hokies took possession at their own 18-yard line but quickly moved the ball downfield with help from a 15-yard pass interference penalty on Kansas freshman cornerback Chris Harris and an improbable diving catch by sophomore tight end Greg Boone. The Hokies advanced to the Jayhawk 8-yard line before opting to attempt a 25-yard field goal attempt on fourth-and-two. The ball had barely left senior kicker Jud Dunlevy’s foot when Kansas senior linebacker Joe Mortensen burst through the offensive line and blocked the ball with his chest.

“Usually when we line up I usually come out in zone and drop back,” Mortensen said. “But this time we went for an all-out block; coach (Bill) Young did a good job and there was good penetration by the d-line. I just let my shoulders slip through and pretty much came untouched and blocked it. It was great.”

Just five minutes later, Kansas outsmarted Virginia Tech on special teams once again. Faced with fourth-and-10 at its own 49-yard line, Kansas lined up in punt formation. But instead of snapping the ball to senior punter Kyle Tucker, sophomore long snapper Kayl Anderson shot a quick snap left to senior running back Brandon McAnderson, who was lined up as Tucker’s “personal protector”.

McAnderson grabbed the snap and quickly tossed the ball toward sophomore wide receiver Micah Brown, situated near the left sideline as a gunner. Brown wrapped his hands around the wobbly pass and advanced 22 yards downfield for a fresh set of downs that allowed Kansas to tick another two minutes from the clock.

“They take a great deal of pride in blocking punts,” Kansas head coach Mark Mangino said. “They’re very aggressive with it – we watched on tape for about a month of them leaving the gunners exposed – walking off the gunners and trying to just outnumber you to block punts. We said that we’re not going to let them do that.

“If they did it more than once, we were going to throw the ball out there, and they did. It ended up being a key play.”

With the momentum wrenched from Virginia Tech’s control, Kansas was able to stay ahead for the remainder of the game. With 11:01 to play in the contest, Kansas sophomore safety Justin Thornton made an outstanding read on an erratic pass by Virginia Tech junior quarterback Sean Glennon, intercepted the pass and advanced the ball to the Virginia Tech two-yard line. On the next play, Kansas sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing plunged two yards into the end zone to extend the Kansas lead to 24-14.

The game-clinching touchdown run was one of many excellent plays the Jayhawk field general made Thursday night. Reesing finished 20-of-37 with 227 passing yards and one passing touchdown. His favorite receiver was Fields, who tallied 101 yards on seven receptions. Senior wide receiver Marcus Henry was the beneficiary of Reesing’s touchdown pass, and totaled 20 yards in his final collegiate contest. The Jayhawks spread the ball around on offense, completing passes to eight receivers and rushing the ball nine or more times with three different ballcarriers. The Kansas defense made the offense’s job easier by forcing three turnovers, setting the team up with good field position.

“It was really an up-and-down game, a roller coaster of emotions,” Reesing said. “Our defense was able to get turnovers and get us the ball in good position, and that was huge for the game. The offense came through when we had to, made plays when we needed to and got the ball in the end zone and points on the board.”

The Jayhawks needed nearly all of their 24 points to hang on and defeat a Virginia Tech team that fought until the clock filled with zeros. The Hokies scored on a 15-play, 78-yard drive with 2:51 remaining to cut the Jayhawks’ lead to three, but McAnderson rumbled his way to the first down marker several times on Kansas’ next drive to run out the clock and seal the victory.

Kansas spent much of the 2007 season breaking school records and setting new and lofty standards for a program that had spent much of the last century mired in mediocrity. It spent Thursday night putting the finishing touches on a season that was one victory short of perfection, but close enough to be considered a triumph.

“Our kids were determined to play well,” Mangino said. “A lot of folks counted us out on this one, and we heard that for about a month – that’s OK because we’ve been in that position quite a bit. I think we always play better when we’re an underdog anyhow. I’m very proud of our players, many of whom are here now. It’s been a great day for KU football – it truly has been.”