Virginia Tech gets away with multiple players wearing 17 on special teams

With 20 seconds left in the first half of Virginia Tech‘s showdown against No. 7 Miami on Friday, Hokies kicker John Love nailed a 57-yard field goal to boost his team to a 24-14 lead. However, the field goal shouldn’t have counted.

After the play, several eagle-eyed fans pointed out that Virginia Tech had two players wearing No. 17 on the field during the play, which is a penalty. The two Virginia Tech players wearing No. 17 were Love and defensive tackle Cole Nelson, who also contributes on special teams.

Despite receiving the ball with only 20 seconds left in the second quarter, Miami was also able to kick in a field goal before the end of the half, cutting the Hokies’ lead to 24-17. Tune into ESPN to watch the two ACC foes battle in the second half.

You can see Nelson blocking on the right side. #Hokies pic.twitter.com/iOGbE6a1aX

— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 28, 2024

Reactions to controversial call on game-ending play

Virginia Tech’s field goal was far from the most controversial play of the game. With three seconds left in the game, Virginia Tech trailed Miami 38-34 and was on the Hurricanes’ 30-yard line.

Out of options, Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones launched a 30-yard bomb to the back of the end zone. It was mayhem as numerous Virginia Tech and Miami players collided, each reaching for the descending ball.

Miraculously, Virginia Tech wide receiver Da’Quan Felton came down with the Hail Mary. However, after nearly 10 minutes of deliberation, the referees ruled a Miami player who made contact with the ball was out of bounds, causing the catch to be incomplete.

Virginia Tech fans weren’t the only ones who didn’t agree with the referees’ decision. ESPN analyst Andre Ware believed the call shouldn’t have been overturned and sympathized with the Hokies faithful.

“A lot of conversations about that because I just don’t know where you see it on the replay to reverse the call on the field,” Ware said. “And had it been called incomplete, see it that way. I just thought the ruling – whatever was called on the field should stand. That’s tough.”

In the postgame press conference, Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry claimed the referees did not explain their decision to him. Further, he expressed the anguish the team was feeling after coming so close to pulling off the Top-10 upset.

“The way the game ended, I hope they got that call right,” Pry said in his opening statement. “To take that – to overturn it and take it from our kids, our coaches, our fans, I hope they got that right.”