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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gunner Kiel threw for 244 yards and a touchdown before leaving due to injury in the third quarter of Saturday's Military Bowl.
Deon Clarke sacked Kiel and forced a fumble at the Cincinnati 43. Nigel Williams picked up the ball and fumbled at the 12, where teammate Greg Stroman scooped it up and took it into the end zone for a 27-10 lead.
Kiel remained down for several minutes and was helped off the field before being taken to the locker room. The 6-foot-4 sophomore did not return.
"He's been banged around pretty much this year. That was a good, clean lick," Bearcats coach Tommy Tuberville said. "I think his head hit the ground. This turf is not made for collisions like that. He's fine. He's a little dizzy and not very clear. He probably could have come back and done a few things, but further injury (at) that point is really not worth it."
With backup Munchie Legaux nursing a knee injury that will require surgery, Cincinnati turned to senior walk-on Michael Colosimo, who threw a touchdown pass but had too big a deficit to overcome against too good a team.
"We didn't play well but Virginia Tech did," Tuberville said. "They took advantage of our miscues and pretty much put it out of reach early in the third quarter."
Kiel went 14 for 26 for 244 yards, but had two interceptions to go with his fumble. The Notre Dame transfer finished the season with 3,254 yards passing, the third-highest total in school history.
Michael Brewer went 14 for 24 for 94 yards and a touchdown to guide the Hokies to their highest point total since a 34-17 win at North Carolina on Oct. 4.
The Hokies opened the second half with a 75-yard drive for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead. Coleman opened the possession with four carries for 43 yards before Brewer tossed a TD pass to tight end Ryan Malleck on third-and-goal from the 1.
Minutes later, Kiel's fumble enabled the many Virginia Tech fans among the crowd of 34,277 to breathe easier.
Virginia Tech led 13-10 at halftime despite a 307-148 deficit in yardage.
Kiel threw for 179 yards in the first quarter, including a 40-yarder to Shaq Washington on the game's first play. But the drive ended with a missed field goal.
Kiel threw for 84 yards in an 89-yard drive later in the quarter that ended with a 31-yard TD pass to Rod Moore.
Virginia Tech answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Coleman. The Hokies successfully executed a trick play during the possession when Brewer caught a 30-yard pass from freshman wide receiver Isaiah Ford.
Kiel's second interception led to a Virginia Tech field goal. Late in the half, Kiel directed an 86-yard drive that produced a field goal for a temporary tie.