By Carlo Mercaldo
FANSonly.com

Dallas --Ron Dayne may be the NCAA career rushing leader and the 1999 Heisman winner, but he could not handle a stifling Hokie Defense as Wisconsin fell to Virginia Tech in the Cotton Bowl, 23-10.

Instead of the familiar sight of Dayne busting tackles and galloping into the open field, it was Virginia Tech's running game that was awe inspiring. The Hokies rushed for 349 yards, including Shyrone Stith's 167-yard one-TD effort. Sensational freshman quarterback Michael Vick was held in check by the Wisconsin defense with only 7 yards passing. Vick did manage 57-yards on the ground, including a 5-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter, though.

The normally potent Wisconsin offense seemed baffled by the quick Virginia Tech defense. The Badgers only trip into the Hokie endzone came on a desperation 40-yard TD reception from Bollinger to Chambers in the closing seconds of the game.

Ron Dayne could muster just 59-yards rushing on 22 carries and the Badgers watched their only lead of the game disappear halfway through the second-quarter.