Tech could go bowling in Orlando

<p>Virginia's schedule conflict with final exams could open a spot for Georgia Tech to appear in the Dec. 21 Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando.</p><p>Following Virginia's 24-10 loss to Virginia Tech Saturday, Virginia officials said the Cavaliers could not appear in a bowl during the school's period for final exams _ Dec. 13-21.</p><p>Georgia Tech has appeared destined for a repeat trip to the Dec. 27 MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho, but Tech athletic director Dave Braine said the Yellow Jackets "would be acceptable to a swap if it works out."</p><p>Actually, the idea of a bowl trip to Orlando might be more than just acceptable to Tech, which has longed for a sunny postseason trip and has been trying to negotiate a move from Boise.</p><p>Asked how a bowl trip to Orlando would be received by Tech, a smiling Braine asked "What do you think?"</p><p>Braine emphasized the talk about the Champs Sports Bowl has not been confirmed.</p><p>"Anything I say is pure speculation," he said, adding he had not been contacted by the Orlando bowl committee.</p><p>Braine said Tech's final exams end on Dec. 11, so there would be no conflict with the Orlando bowl.</p><p>Virginia is ahead of Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference's bowl pecking order and may lobby the ACC for the league's spot in the Dec. 31 Peach Bowl in Atlanta. However, Virginia Tech, Miami and Florida State are expected to take the ACC's top three bowl spots _ a BCS bowl, the Gator and the Peach.</p><p>Meanwhile, Georgia also appears bound for a Florida bowl _ the Jan. 1 Outback _ but Georgia athletic director Damon Evans said a bid may not come until after next Saturday's Southeastern Conference championship game.</p><p>"We're in about three or four difference scenarios so we could start selling tickets, but I don't expect to hear anything until after the SEC championship game," Evans said.</p><p>LSU may take the SEC's slot in the Jan. 1 Capital One bowl _ though a Tennessee upset win over Auburn in the SEC championship game could send Auburn to Orlando.</p><p>Scouts from the Peach, Capital One and Outback bowls attended Georgia's 19-13 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday, but Georgia also could be in the mix for a Cotton Bowl bid.</p><p>"I just want to go somewhere where it's warm," said Georgia cornerback DeMario Minter.</p><p>___</p><p>BAILEY BENCHED: Georgia kicker Andy Bailey was benched by coach Mark Richt after missing an extra point in the second quarter. After Bailey's kick hit the left upright, Richt told Brandon Coutu he would have the next kick, no matter what the situation.</p><p>As it turned out, the next kick _ a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter _ turned out to be Georgia's biggest kick of the game.</p><p>"I fibbed to him a little bit before the kick and told him it was not the game-winning kick. I told him it was just another kick and that if he missed it we would be in good shape and the defense would get the stop."</p><p>Coutu was beaten out by Bailey in the preseason for field goal and extra-point duties.</p><p>"It was kind of funny, I was patient all year long and then I got a chance to kick against our rival in our final game," Coutu said.</p><p>Coutu made his first career field goal despite a bad snap, barely leaving holder Lee Jackson enough time to get the ball down.</p><p>"You couldn't ask for any more from the guy," said Coutu of Jackson.</p><p>___</p><p>MILESTONES: Quarterback David Greene set the SEC career passing yards record with a 7-yard pass to Fred Gibson in the first quarter. Greene, limited by a sprained left thumb, completed 6 of 12 passes for 80 yards, giving him 11,264 yards for his career. He passed former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning's mark of 11,201 yards.</p><p>Greene also set a Georgia record with his 51st career start.</p><p>Senior defensive end David Pollack recorded two sacks, giving him 33 for his career and moving him into a tie for fourth on the SEC career records.</p><p>___</p><p>DANIELS RETURNS FOR TECH: P.J. Daniels, the ACC's rushing champion in 2003 who had missed the last three games with a knee injury, did not start but rushed for 13 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Rashaun Grant started at tailback and rushed for 25 yards on six carries before suffering a neck injury in the first quarter.</p><p>Daniels made his first appearance on Tech's first possession of the second quarter.</p>

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