Remember when the Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies were outstanding college football teams?
Entering this game consider it even when picking a winner, not because both teams were good.
As the game began, the edge went to the Hokies, all of a sudden, the game turned entertaining.
Deshawn McClease had a 3-yard run for the Hokies with 1:03 remaining that capped a nail-biting final few minutes, Dalton Keene caught three touchdown passes, and Virginia Tech held on to beat Miami 42-35 on Saturday — a game where the Hokies forced turnovers on each of the Hurricanes’ first four possessions yet still needed to deflect two passes in the final 5 seconds to escape with the win.
Virginia Tech allowed a Hail Mary for a touchdown giving the hurricanes confidence and momentum to end the first half. The Hokies got outgained by more than 200 yards, couldn’t hold a 28-point lead and allowed three touchdowns in less than 4 minutes down the stretch.
Miami falls to 2-3. Since 10-0 start in 2017, Miami is 4-12 versus Power 5 teams.
The optics did not look good in the near win over Central Michigan. Though the Hurricanes had come off a bye week,
“Right now, we’re not a good team,” Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said.
On their home field, crucial mistakes proved coach Diaz’s point.
Starting quarterback Jarren Williams hadn’t thrown an interception in the first four games of the season before getting picked off on Miami’s opening drive, and finished 4 of 7; all three incompletions were interceptions.
Williams’ play has declined; he was taken to the locker room in the first half for possibly an apparent injury; however, the Canes shared there is no injury; moreover, Diaz added he remains the starter.
Miami finished with four turnovers, the last time they had more turnovers was 2010, when it had six — also against Virginia Tech.
Running back, DeeJay Dallas scored on a 62-yard run with 3:16 left to tie the game, but Hurricanes kicker Bubba Baxa missed the extra point.
“An absolutely insane football game,” Miami coach Manny Diaz said.
N’Kosi Perry came in relief of Williams and had a career-high 422 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns.
The Hurricanes outgained the Hokies 563-337, and 0-2 in ACC conference play.
Hurricane fans in attendance booed consistently in the first half when they were down by as many four touchdowns. Miami finished with seven rushing yards in the first half and five turnovers.
The Hokies picked up their first conference win, entering the road game they were two-touchdown underdogs and had lost six of their last seven ACC games. Hokies came to play defensively, capitalizing on the turnover battle 5-0, posted a season-high seven sacks.
The beat goes on.
Virginia Tech will host Rhode Island on Saturday.
Miami will host Virginia on Friday.
Photo/TonyCapobianco
Photo/TonyCapobianco
