Miami holds on vs. Virginia Tech on controversial Hail Mary ruling

On Friday, No. 7 Miami narrowly defeated Virginia Tech 38-34, following a controversial final play. The win was the Hurricanes’ first against an ACC foe this season.

It was a grueling battle between the conference opponents, with four total lead changes in the game. Virginia Tech jumped out to an early lead after forcing Miami QB Cam Ward to commit a fumble in the Hurricanes’ opening drive.

Only three plays later, Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones connected with wide receiver Benji Gosnell for a 25-yard touchdown, giving the Hokies a 7-0 lead. Ward didn’t hesitate to strike back, rattling off back-to-back scoring drives to secure a 14-7 lead.

Catch or no catch?👀

(via ESPN)pic.twitter.com/6LFMzXPX9q

— On3 (@On3sports) September 28, 2024

Alas, the Hokies came alive in the second quarter, picking off Ward on their own 13-yard line. In short order, running back Bhayshul Tuten busted out a 55-yard run to even the game at 14-14.

Virginia Tech didn’t stop there, scoring another touchdown and field goal before Miami could put any more points on the scoreboard. Nonetheless, Miami stopped its bleeding with a 56-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, cutting Virginia Tech’s lead to 24-17.

The two teams continued to trade blows in the third quarter, highlighted by another Virginia Tech field goal and Ward’s lone rushing score of the game. When the dust settled, the Hokies headed into the final frame with a nail-biting 27-24 lead.

Less than three minutes into the fourth quarter, Kyron Drones found Ayden Greene in the end zone, propelling Virginia Tech to a convincing 34-24 lead. Not to be outdone, Ward marched the ball down the field and notched another passing TD of his own.

With just under two minutes left in the game, Ward threw a one-yard dart to Isaiah Horton to secure a 38-34 lead for the Hurricanes. With no choice but to find the end zone, Virginia Tech took the field and almost delivered.

With three seconds left on the game clock, Drones launched a 30-yard bomb to Da’Quan Felton, who hauled in the miraculous Hail Mary. However, after nearly 10 minutes of deliberation, the referees overturned the call and Miami walked away with a 38-34 triumph.

In the win, Cam Ward completed 24-of-his-38 pass attempts for 348 passing yards and four touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. Damien Martinez led the Hurricanes’ rushing attack, with a team-high 60 rushing yards on 14 carries.