Hurricanes Survive Scare, Answer Challenge in an Epic Finish

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

On Sept 27, the No. 7-ranked Miami Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1) 38-34. It was the first ACC game for both teams this season. While Virginia Tech entered the 41st meeting as a nine-point underdog, the Hokies almost pulled off a major upset. It took an overturned call with no time left on the game clock to decide the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

What Happened in the Game

After Miami quarterback Cam Ward connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton, the Hurricanes went up 38-34. That gave the ball back to Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones. He knew that time was tight, Drones moved Virginia Tech down to the Miami 30-yard line. With just 3 seconds left on the clock, Drones dropped back and threw a spiral toward the left side of the end zone.

A large number of Hurricane and Hokie players went airborne to catch the ball. ESPN replays appeared to show a Virginia Tech player possibly making a circus catch. Then again, a Miami player also seemed to have possession as well. At first, officials ruled that Virginia Tech player Da'Quan Felton caught the ball for a touchdown. This set off a celebration on the Hokies' sidelines.

Lead official Jerry Magallanes, though, reviewed the scoring play, the Associated Press reported. After some minutes passed, Magallanes informed those present and watching on TV that the call had been overturned. This set off a wild celebration for Miami fans and players. Virginia Tech players saw victory taken away from them.

Hurricanes Get the Call

The ACC issued a statement after the game. It said that the pass was ultimately ruled incomplete because the ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds. “During the review process of the last play of the Virginia Tech at Miami game, it was determined that the loose ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds which makes it an incomplete pass and immediately ends the play,” the statement said.

In the first quarter, despite scoring first, the Hokies surrendered two touchdowns. A 14-7 Hurricanes lead was short-lived as Virginia Tech exploded for 17 second-quarter points to lead 24-17 at halftime. The second half was a different tale, though, as Ward and the Hurricanes outscored Drones and the Hokies 21-10.

For the Hurricanes, Ward was equal parts field general and Harry Houdini. He completed 24-of-38 passes for 343 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He got the ball to playmakers like wide receivers Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. The duo accounted for 9 catches, 119 yards and a touchdown. After the game-winning play, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said, “I saw an incomplete pass. That’s all I can say.”

For the Hokies, after starting the season 2-2, they and head coach Brent Pry needed to make a statement in their ACC games. Running back Bhayshul Tuten ran all over the Hurricanes, finishing with 141 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, linemen Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles were able to disrupt the Hurricanes' offense and generate sacks and turnovers for the Hokies.

What about the game-deciding play? “That’s a tough one right there. The way that game ended, I hope they got that call right,” Pry said. “To take that, to overturn it, take it from our kids, our coaches, our fans, I hope they got it right.”

Turning Point

With the score 27-17 in the third quarter, the Hurricanes took the ball, marched down the field and were poised to score a touchdown. Ward threw an interception as Miami had the ball at the Hokies' 24-yard line. Virginia Tech linebacker Kaleb Spencer intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 77 yards.

While many expected the Hokies to extend the lead with at least a field goal, the Hurricanes' defense and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa had different plans. The Hurricanes' defense held the Hokies' offense in a crucial stand and Virginia Tech was turned away scoreless. The score remained 27-17 at that point. After a bit of a back-and-forth, the Hurricanes emerged victorious.

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

What Does it All Mean?

For the Hurricanes, they continue their winning ways and climb into the conversation for the College Football Playoff. Both Ward and Cristobal have shown that the Hurricanes can find ways to win. On Sept. 27, Miami rallied from 10 points behind more than once. This was a strong win for the Hurricanes to begin their ACC schedule. The Hurricanes next play the Cal Golden Bears on Oct. 5.

For the Hokies, the loss is their third this season. Virginia Tech's season is on life support. The Hokies still have a path to the ACC Championship game. But the likelihood is that, with three losses this season, the team doesn't control its destiny. The Hokies next face the Stanford Cardinal on Oct. 5. Will the Hokies learn from this loss and be a better team or will the team unravel in this gut-check moment for Drones and the Hokies?