Author : Jack Culberson
We we're in Blacksburg to see 2-3 Miami taking on 2-4 Virginia Tech. Miami had yet to win a conference game, and Virginia Tech was 1-2 in conference play. In the end, Miami defeated Virginia Tech 20-14. Let’s take a closer look into what happened in this game.
Virginia Tech received the ball first, and very soon after they got it they turned the ball over. Virginia Tech fumbled and Miami was able to recover the ball. After the turnover, Miami was able to go 65 yards in 4 plays to score the first points of the game. Tyler Van Dyke found Frank Ladson Jr. for a 5 yard completion and the touchdown to put the Hurricanes up 7-0. Virginia Tech’s next possession resulted in a turnover after 3 plays. On Miami’s second possession of the game, they were able to march 71 yards, and kicker Andres Borregales made a 28 yard field goal attempt. The Hurricanes were now up by 10. Virginia Tech’s next possession ran out the time remaining in the first quarter, and they punted as the time expired.
Miami started with the ball to open the second quarter, and their drive ended in a punt. Virginia Tech was looking to score on their next possession, but they instead punted again. When Miami retook possession after the Hokies punt, they were able to go 80 yards in 8 plays to score another touchdown. This time Tyler Van Dyke found Colbie Young for 17 yards and the score, this made the score 17-0. Virginia Tech and Miami both punted on their next possession. Then, when Virginia Tech got the ball back after Miami’s punt, they ran the clock out and sent the game to halftime. Miami was beating Virginia Tech 17-0 going into halftime.
To start the second half Miami received the ball. Their drive was short lived as they punted after 3 plays. Virginia Tech punted as well on their first possession of the second half. Both teams punted on their next possession as well. On Miami’s next possession they were able to further extend their lead as Andres Borregales made a 25 yard field goal, and Miami was now winning 20-0. Virginia Tech continued to not get anything going on offense as they punted once again. Miami punted as well on their next possession, and as they punted the third quarter ended.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech marched 65 yards in 7 plays to score their first points of the game. Grant Wells completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to Malachi Thomas to make the score 20-7. Virginia Tech’s defense was able to get a crucial stop on the Hurricanes as the Hokies forced them to punt. However, Virginia Tech’s offense was not able to score on their next possession as they punted. Virginia Tech’s defense came up clutch once again, as they forced Miami to punt again on their next possession. Virginia Tech desperately needed to score a touchdown, and quarterback Grant Wells made sure they were going to score on their next drive. Wells was able to score a touchdown on a 3 yard run and he put the game within one score as it was now 20-14. However, Miami got crucial conversions on third down and they were able to run the clock out to end the game. Miami had won 20-14.
Virginia Tech did not play badly in this game and they showed some flashes. They almost came back from a 20 point deficit in the fourth quarter, and if their offense played that well the whole game things would have definitely ended differently. The Hokies are now 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the ACC, but they have a good football team and can definitely make a bowl game. It will be interesting to see how the rest of their season pans out.
Miami played solid this game and they were able to move to 3-3 overall. They also gained their first ACC win of the season. Their remaining schedule has them playing only ACC teams, so if they can do well in these games maybe they can compete for a spot in the ACC Championship game.