What Bret Bielema said after Arkansas' embarrassing collapse to Virginia Tech

After jumping out to a 24-point lead in the first half, Arkansas allowed 35-straight unanswered points in the second half en route to a 35-24 loss to Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl.

The Razorbacks had been plagued by second-half collapses throughout the year — and the narrative was no different on Thursday evening.

Head coach Bret Bielema spoke after the game about the tough loss:

BB: As long as I've coached, you run the ball into the end zone, you don't reach

— Razorback Nation (@RazNation) December 30, 2016

Arkansas HC Bret Bielema: "Never seen the tide turn so quickly in all three phases—offense, defense, special teams."

— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) December 30, 2016

Bielema: "It's 100 percent my responsibility."

— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) December 30, 2016

Bielema: It’s not OK to accept this.

— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) December 30, 2016

Bret Bielema: "I apologize to people who made the trip, fans and family, that we couldn't close it out." pic.twitter.com/cFZFBFQNQZ

— Jack Flagler (@jflagler) December 30, 2016

Bielema: The second half has been our melting point. I will address that in the offseason… Says he'll look at everything "A-Z"

— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) December 30, 2016

Bielema: (Jeremy Sprinkle) made a decision that makes no sense whatsoever….It's an immature mind making an immature mistake.

— WholeHogSports.com (@wholehogsports) December 30, 2016

2014:" 7-6 is not a landing point it's a launching point." -Bret Bielema

2016: 7-6

— Michael Zarro (@mroccozarro) December 30, 2016