ORLANDO, Fla. - Reggie Ball walked off the field after the Champs Sports Bowl with the most valuable player trophy under his left arm.

He might want to bring it with him to spring practice.

Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey, who has been critical of his sophomore quarterback all season, reiterated this week that Ball will have to win back the starting job next year.

Ball certainly stated his case Tuesday night. He threw two touchdown passes, ran for another score and led the Yellow Jackets to a 51-14 victory over Syracuse.

"I just let loose," Ball said. "I wasn't worried about proving anything. I know what I can do. I know what kind of leader I am."

Ball finished 12-of-19 for 207 yards with an interception, had 38 yards rushing and was named the game's MVP.

"He went out and performed extremely well, especially early in the game," Gailey said. "He's had a lot of criticism this year and suffered through a lot of adversity. I'm happy for him."

Much of the criticism came from Gailey, who expected more from Ball.

Ball opened the season with two strong games, then threw twice as many interceptions (16) as touchdowns over the final nine games.

Gailey even said Ball would have to earn back the starting job during spring practice. But Ball may have done that against the Orange.

He got plenty of help, though.

P.J. Daniels ran 17 times for 119 yards and two scores, Calvin Johnson set a school record for touchdowns by a freshman with his seventh, and the defense set the tone by returning an interception for a touchdown on the second play of the game. The unit added a safety with 1:42 to play.

Even special teams played a role, blocking a punt in the first quarter that the Yellow Jackets (7-5) converted into a touchdown.

The loss was the worst in a bowl game for Syracuse (6-6) since the 1953 Orange Bowl, a 61-6 drubbing by Alabama. It also means more questions about the future of embattled coach Paul Pasqualoni.

Syracuse chancellor Nancy Cantor gave Pasqualoni a vote of confidence earlier this month, saying he would be retained for a 15th season. But the school also named longtime Southern California administrator Daryl Gross the new athletic director last week.

Gross replaces Jake Crouthamel, one of Pasqualoni's biggest supporters.

Gross dispelled rumors that he was already thinking about a replacement. However, he also said he would evaluate the athletic department after he completes his move in late January.

Georgia Tech's dominance Tuesday certainly won't help Pasqualoni.

Chris Reis intercepted Perry Patterson's first pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

"From the first pass of the game, things seemed to go against us," Pasqualoni said. "It was just one of those days where nothing we did went well."

After Syracuse made it 7-6, Georgia Tech scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions to pretty much put the game away before halftime.

"We punched them in the mouth, but they punched right back," Syracuse safety Diamond Ferri said. "They deserved to win."

Ball found Johnson for a 10-yard score to make it 14-6. After getting the ball back, Ball rolled right and found Nate Curry down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown - the longest play of the season for the Yellow Jackets and the longest pass of Ball's career.

Syracuse went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and Xavier McGuire blocked the punt to give his team the ball at the 14. Ball completed a third-down pass to the 2, and Daniels took it in from there.

Tech made it 35-6 just before halftime thanks mostly to Johnson. He burned cornerback Tanard Jackson and made a spectacular 51-yard catch over Ferri. He scored six plays later on an end around from the 5-yard line.

Ball's 11-yard TD scamper pushed the lead to 42-6 in the third. After that play, Ball was done for the night.

So was Syracuse.

"My experience with bowl games is you win and you enjoy it for eight months," Pasqualoni said. "When you lose one of these, you have heartache for eight months."