Devwah Whaley will look to continue his formidable tandem with fellow running back Rawleigh Williams when the University of Arkansas face Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl today.

Razorbacks, who have won their past three bowl appearances — a team record — dating back to the 2012 Cotton Bowl, travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to take on the ACC Coastal Division champions at the Bank of America Stadium.

Freshman Whaley said he has learnt plenty from sophomore Williams — the SEC’s leading rusher this season with 1,326 yards and 12 touchdowns — and is confident they can cause Virginia Tech all manner of problems.

“I think we have been a great one-two punch this season and we want to go finish it off right in the Belk Bowl against Virginia Tech,” said Whaley, who has rushed for 601 yards and three touchdowns this season.

“I have learnt so much from Rawleigh and the coaches as the year goes along and I think we are both going to be even better next season.”

Williams, who suffered a season-ending neck injury as a freshman, has carried the ball 233 times so far this season while Whaley has toted it another 105 occasions with both averaging 5.7 yards per rush.

“It’s kind of surreal to me,” Whaley said. “I really wasn’t expecting to have the year that I had. Rawleigh has helped a lot and just to accomplish the things he accomplished this year after what happened last year is a blessing.

“It’s amazing. I look up to him as a big brother and I am proud of him.”

Today’s game, which starts at 5.30pm Bermuda time, will be the first time that Arkansas and Virginia Tech have met and the first time that either team have appeared in the Belk Bowl. The Belk Bowl will be Arkansas’ first game against ACC opponents since 1995, when they played North Carolina in the CarQuest Bowl. They are the only SEC West programme to win a bowl game each of the past two years.

The Razorbacks earned their third straight bowl appearance by putting together a 7-5 record in the regular season in the SEC West that included seven games against ranked teams, including top-ranked Alabama.

Bermudian Whaley said Razorbacks have also been boosted by the news that junior centre Frank Ragnow, who was named to at least one All-American team, will return for his senior season.

“It’s a relief,” Whaley said. “It’s an awesome feeling to know that he’s coming back and know he’s going to be up front blocking for me again. It’s going to be great.

“He is a great football player and the fact that he is coming back to lead the line is very important.

“There is a big brotherhood between the running backs and the offensive line. We work together.”

Arkansas suffered a tough 28-24 loss at Missouri in the regular-season finale after leading 24-7 at one point.

Whaley, who also had five catches for 113 yards while Williams had 14 receptions for 227 yards, was unable to play after half-time because of a leg injury.

“I’ve recovered pretty fast and feel even healthier than before, so ready for next week,” Whaley said. “Got stepped on. Deep bruise in my knee, leg area. Got a lot of treatment on it, rehab on it and everything is fine.”

He said he will remember his freshman season as one where he learnt that playing time is not just about running the football.

“I feel like it went pretty well,” Whaley said. “Each and every week I felt like I got better and better all around. Not just running the ball, but all around.”

It obviously will be the first postseason event in his college career.

“It’s going to be a great experience,” Whaley said. “Every kid has dreamt of it and worked hard for it. It’s going to be pretty awesome.”

In addition to Williams and Whaley, freshman T.J. Hammonds added 14 carries for 86 yards in limited action.

“T.J. is a great athlete,” Whaley said. “I think he could play pretty much anywhere. From slot receiver or running back. He has the talent to be both.”

The Razorbacks will also be adding in a pair of backs in Charlotte High School’s Maleek Williams, who is set to enrol next month, and Chase Hayden of St George’s Independent School, Colliersville, Tennessee.

“It could be a special group with the other two coming in and with us back for next year,” Whaley said.