Kentucky and Virginia Tech drew an early kickoff for the Belk Bowl on Sunday, but players on both sides did not appear to have any trouble getting fired up for the game.
A scuffle broke out on the field at Bank of America Stadium when the two teams were warming up without their pads on. Kentucky star Lynn Bowden Jr. was at the center of it.
ESPN’s video of the Kentucky/Virginia Tech scuffle featuring Lynn Bowden pic.twitter.com/xgxOp8YLYo
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) December 31, 2019
Punches were exchanged at one point, and there was some question about whether or not there would be player ejections prior to the start of the game. However, since the altercation took place more than an hour before kickoff, officials did not reserve the right to make that decision.
Kentucky QB/WR Lynn Bowden had issues with Virginia Tech pregame, and even punched a Tech player.
Here’s what ESPN captured: pic.twitter.com/YHPa4YXrAV
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 31, 2019
The scuffle was a continuation of events from earlier in the week, as the two teams also exchanged words at a pre-bowl event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kyle Tucker of The Athletic reported that a brawl almost broke out, and Bowden appeared to tweet about it after.
Getcha ready. pic.twitter.com/wWalMF8x2v
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) December 30, 2019
Bowden later refused to comment about Virginia Tech during his media availability on Monday. He told one reporter that the trash talk being exchanged “kinda ruined” his week, and Kentucky players indicated they felt most of the talk was coming from the Virginia Tech side.
Bowden has rushed for 1,235 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 151 attempts this season, giving him an eye-popping average of 8.2 yards per carry. He has also caught 30 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown. He made a major impact in Kentucky’s Citrus Bowl win over Penn State last year, and he will be looking to do the same against Virginia Tech.
