After a disappointing 2-2 record through their first four non-conference games, the Virginia Tech football team was looking to turn things around in ACC play at Miami Friday night. It was the best game by Brent Pry's team, but in the end, it just wasn't enough.
Virginia Tech led for a majority of the game, but a touchdown by the Hurricanes with 1:57 left gave them a 38-34 lead and they withstood a Hokies' Hail Mary on the game's final play to survive for a four-point win. It wasn't without controversy, to say the least.
By now you know that Da'Quan Felton was ruled to have caught the pass from Kyron Drones in the back of the end zone, but after review, it was ruled that the pass was incomplete. The joy of victory to the agony of defeat in just seconds for the Hokies and their fans. Here is the latest Virginia Tech football report card after the four-point loss in South Florida.
Virginia Tech report card from Miami loss
It wasn't a good night for the guys with the headsets. Several questionable calls from the timeout at the end of the first half that led to Miami getting an extra possession and scoring three huge points to the Hokies getting away with two No. 17s on the field on John Love's 57-yard field goal. The fake field goal in the third quarter that the Hurricanes sniffed out led to a huge 10-point turnaround. A lot to break down from this one.
Yes, Love booted two field goals of 50-plus yards, but the fake field goal execution by the offensive line and their lack of blocking and again, yes, two of the same numbers on the field on Love's 57-yard field goal, which was missed by the officials is head-scratching. Again, the special teams are not that special this season for the Hokies through five games.
Kyron Drones played his best game of the season. Did he miss a couple of receivers on some throw? Yes, but he finished with 189 yards through the air on 19-for-33 passing while rushing for 52 yards on nine carries. He moved out of the pocket well and through a pair of big touchdown passes to Benji Gosnell and Ayden Greene. He did his part.
It was another huge night from Bhayshul Tuten. He rushed for 141 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown run of 55 yards in the second quarter where he bounced off the first defender and outran the Miami defense to the end zone in the second quarter. P.J. Priouleau had what appeared to be a huge third-quarter touchdown run with impressive speed, but it was called back on a very questionable holding call.
It was a good night for the Hokies' wide receivers with Stephen Gosnell leading the way with four catches for 53 yards, however, his lack of being able to haul in a pass at the Miami 5-yard line right after the interception by Kaleb Spencer was huge. It ended up leading to the botched field goal attempt. Jaylin Lane had four receptions for 49 yards and Ayden Greene had a touchdown catch after getting open for his scrambling QB. It made up for a tipped pass that led to a Miami interception in the second quarter.
Benji Gosnell hauled in the first Virginia Tech touchdown in the first quarter when he snuck behind the Hurricanes defense for the 25-yard in the end zone. He finished with 43 yards on three catches. He's becoming a big piece of the passing game for Drones
It not saying much, but this was the best game this unit has played this season. Seriously. They blocked better, allowing Drones time to go through his reads, they opened up some holes for Tuten and Drones. They lost center Braelin Moore in the first half which caused some shifting, but overall, it wasn't a bad night for the big guys.
It was a hot and muggy night in Miami, but the Hokies defensive line was a factor all night. They forced a turnover on the game's opening possession that set the offense up at the Hurricanes' 31-yard line which was turned into a touchdown. Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles each had a sack, while Kelvin Gilliam and Josh Fuga each had a tackle for loss. The score may not reflect it, but they came to play.
Sam Brumfield recovered the fumble on Miami's opening possession and Keli Lawson finished with a unit-high six tackles. It was another good night from Caleb Woodson and Jaden Keller. Miami transfer Kaleb Spencer had a pick and was moved around on defense. The one big play for Miami was when quarterback Cam Ward dropped a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter over Brumfield in the end zone with a perfectly lofted ball over the small linebacker.
It was a big bounce-back game for the Hokies secondary. Mose Phillips continues to impress with each game and had a big interception of Ward near the goal line in the second quarter. Mansoor Delane had a team-high seven tackles and Dorian Strong was good in coverage. They played well enough to win, but as the game went on, they wore down in the Miami heat took its toll on both teams, but especially the Hokies' defense.
It's going to be a long week before getting back on the field for the Hokies at Stanford, but despite losing and falling to 2-3, there is a lot they can take away from their trip to South Florida.