The No. 7 Miami Hurricanes held off the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday night in what could be the most controversial end to the college football season.
Kyron Drones’ last-second Hail Mary pass was caught for a touchdown, seemingly giving Virginia Tech a 40-38 victory until the video replay booth overturned the call on the field.
As a result, Miami moved to 5-0, while the 2-3 Hokies were left wondering what exactly just happened.
Technical receiver Da’Quan Felton appeared to go down with the ball, which ultimately changed hands several times as referees attempted to piece together the final play of the game.
Hurricanes players were initially seen celebrating as if they had won, only for the referees to call a touchdown, leading to an immediate check of the booth.
Tech’s Da’Quan Felton appeared to accept the ball, but the stand disagreed
Miami Hurricanes defenders break up a pass intended for Da’Quan Felton
Virginia Tech players gesture after officials reveal final touchdown was denied
Da’Quan Felton #9 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts after his touchdown was denied
Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after defeating Virginia Tech
Cam Ward found Isaiah Horton with a 1-yard touchdown pass with 1:57 remaining for what became the winning score in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams on Friday night.
Ward threw for 343 yards and four touchdowns, extending his national lead to 18 scoring throws so far this season. The Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0) trailed by double digits on three separate occasions, most recently when the Hokies took a 34-24 lead with 12:05 left.
But Miami ultimately found a way, just barely, to win its ACC opener for the first time in four years and remain undefeated.
Drones threw two touchdown passes, while Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 141 yards and another score for Virginia Tech (2-3, 0-1).
John Love kicked field goals of 52 and 56 yards for Virginia Tech. The Hokies turned three Miami turnovers into 14 points and looked poised to upset a team ranked seventh or higher in the AP Top 25 by first time since Oct. 2, 2004: a 19-13 win over then-No. 6 West Virginia.
But needing a touchdown on the final drive to pull off the upset, Virginia Tech got to Miami’s 30-yard line and nearly had the winning score.
Kyron Drones #1 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball against the Miami Hurricanes
Wilfried Pene of the Virginia Tech Hokies attempts, but fails, to tackle Cam Ward
On the way to the nod, Miami escaped disaster, twice. Xavier Restrepo fell on a fourth-and-3 play with the ball already headed his way, and somehow caught it while on the ground to extend possession. And on the first down, a couple minutes later, Ward was being dragged by Virginia Tech’s Keyshawn Burgos for what appeared to be a determined sack.
Except it wasn’t. Ward broke free from that tackle, broke another and threw the ball to Riley Williams for what became a 26-yard gain to the 1-yard line. The Hurricanes scored one play later and the defense finished off.
Virginia Tech: The night could have been worse. Defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who entered the game leading the nation with six sacks and raised that total to seven on Friday, left in the second half due to an injury. He entered the locker room to be evaluated, accompanied by a member of the Hokies staff.
Miami: The Hurricanes thwarted a fake field goal attempt in the second half, one that came from Virginia Tech’s chip shot range. If the Hokies had scored the three points there, all they would have needed on the final drive It was another field goal and not a touchdown. There was also another big special teams play: Andy Borregales’ 56-yard field goal to end the first half took on importance late in the night.
Miami escaped what would have been a damaging loss in the AP Top 25 when the poll is updated Sunday. The Hurricanes should remain in the Top 10.
Virginia Tech: Visit Stanford on October 5.
Miami: Visit Cal on October 5.