Instant reaction to Virginia Tech falling short in massive upset bid of Miami

Through the first four games of the season, Virginia Tech football fans were waiting for the version of the Hokies to show up that got all the preseason hype. It didn't happen in the first half against Vanderbilt, Marshall or Rutgers, while you could make the case there were glimpses at times against Old Dominion. It certainly did Friday night in Miami.

The Hokies exploded for 24 first-half points, scored 14 points off a pair of Hurricanes turnovers, and took a seven-point lead into halftime against the No. 7 team on the road. In the end, however, Miami rallied in the second half to escape with a win after scoring 14 unanswered points in the final 12:05. Then they survived a last-second questionable overturn of a Hokies touchdown in the end zone to win, 38-34.

Instant reaction to Miami's win over Virginia Tech

• We finally got the first-half Hokies we had been waiting for in the first four weeks. The offense was humming with Bhayshul Tuten ripping off a 55-yard touchdown run, and Jaylin Lane scored on a 25-yard reverse. John Love kicked a 57-yard field goal and things were looking good. Then the second half happened.
• Virginia Tech lost edge Antwaun Powell-Ryland in the second half with an injury and absence was felt. If there is one player they couldn't lose that side of the ball, it's APR. He came back in the fourth quarter, which was good to see.
• Kaleb Spencer, a Miami transfer, picked off Cam Ward on a tipped ball at the Virginia Tech 3 and returned it deep into Hurricanes territory. Instead of kicking a field goal and taking the three points, they tried a fake field goal and were stuffed. Game-changer.
• Miami marched down the field on the ensuing possession and Ward scored on a 17-yard run. You could have predicted that was going to happen. Ten-point swing.
• To Virginia Tech's credit, they responded with a huge drive capped off with a big touchdown pass from Drones to Ayden Greene after the QB was flushed out of the pocket for a 34-24 lead.
• Once again, Miami responded, and as the fourth quarter went along, the Hokies' defense got gassed and was not able to get enough stops to pull the upset. Facing a 4th-and-3 from near midfield, Xavier Restrepo made a 4-yard catch while on the ground. Sums up Tech's luck this season.

Regardless of the result, this was the Virginia Tech we were expecting this season. Yes, the loss is tough, but they have a quick turnaround with a flight to California to play first-year ACC member Stanford next Saturday.