Continental Tire Bowl

Team Selection & Pre-Game Storylines

With contractual ties to the Big East and ACC, the new bowl selected two regional powers for its debut. West Virginia entered the game at 9–3, ranked 15th nationally, and had won four straight to close the regular season, including a win over rival Pittsburgh. Virginia, at 8–5, finished strong as well, knocking off ranked teams NC State and Maryland late in the season. Despite their lower profile, the Cavaliers were riding momentum, sparked by quarterback Matt Schaub and freshman standout Wali Lundy.

The matchup was also a renewal of an old regional rivalry—the two teams had met 22 times previously, but not since 1985, with Virginia holding a slight 12–10–1 advantage.

Virginia Dominates West Virginia in Charlotte Showdown

The 2002 Continental Tire Bowl, held on December 28, 2002, marked the debut of a new postseason tradition in college football. Played before a sellout crowd of 73,535 at Ericsson Stadium (now Bank of America Stadium) in Charlotte, North Carolina, the game pitted the Virginia Cavaliers of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against the No. 15 West Virginia Mountaineers of the Big East. What began as a competitive early battle quickly turned into a showcase for Virginia's high-powered offense and dynamic special teams. The Cavaliers would cruise to a 48–22 victory, claiming the inaugural title and setting the tone for what would become a prominent bowl game in the Carolinas.

First Half: Trick Plays, Special Teams, and Early Control

West Virginia struck first with a 27-yard field goal by Todd James, but Virginia answered with flair. On a trick play, wide receiver Marques Hagans threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Wali Lundy to give the Cavaliers a 7–3 lead. The Mountaineers responded with a 6-yard touchdown run by Avon Cobourne, briefly retaking the lead at 10–7.

Then came the turning point: Virginia engineered a 60-yard drive capped by a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Schaub to go up 14–10. Moments later, Hagans electrified the stadium with a 69-yard punt return touchdown, swinging momentum firmly in Virginia’s favor. A Lundy touchdown run, aided by a costly West Virginia penalty, extended the Cavaliers’ lead to 28–10 at the half.

Second Half: Cavalier Avalanche

The third quarter was all Cavaliers. Schaub hit Lundy on a 48-yard touchdown reception, and after a Connor Hughes field goal and a Marshall interception, Virginia led 38–10. West Virginia responded with a 1-yard rushing TD from Marshall, but a blocked extra point left the score at 38–16.

Virginia added another Hughes field goal early in the fourth and, after West Virginia’s last gasp score—a 1-yard Cobourne touchdown run—the Cavaliers slammed the door with a 31-yard touchdown run from Lundy, capping a four-touchdown day for the freshman.

Final Score: Virginia 48, West Virginia 22

Standout Performers: Lundy and More

Wali Lundy was named MVP with 4 touchdowns, 127 rushing yards, and 76 receiving yards—a breakout performance.
Matt Schaub completed 16 of 22 passes for 182 yards, with 1 touchdown pass and 1 rushing TD.
Marques Hagans threw a TD pass and returned a punt for another—arguably the most versatile player of the game.
On defense, Almondo Curry and Darryl Blackstock each grabbed key interceptions.

For West Virginia:

Rasheed Marshall threw for 215 yards and rushed for a touchdown but also tossed a costly interception.
Avon Cobourne, in his final game as a Mountaineer, rushed for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Phil Braxton led all receivers with 108 yards.

Legacy of the First Continental Tire Bowl

The 2002 Continental Tire Bowl was more than just a postseason game—it was a statement. Virginia’s dominant performance cemented the bowl as a legitimate and exciting addition to the college football landscape. The blend of explosive offense, creative play-calling, and special teams fireworks set a high bar for future editions. For Virginia, it was a perfect cap to a season of resurgence. For West Virginia, a tough loss to swallow—but also a reminder of the unpredictability of bowl season.