In a game that had everything from explosive plays to dramatic twists, the No. 7 Miami Hurricanes narrowly held off the Virginia Tech Hokies 38-34 in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener on Friday night. The final moments will be remembered for the chaotic end and a controversial call that sealed Miami’s victory.
With three seconds left on the clock, Virginia Tech had one final opportunity from the Miami 30-yard line. Hokies’ quarterback Kyron Drones dropped back 11 yards and launched a Hail Mary pass toward the end zone. A pack of seven players awaited the ball, and it initially appeared that Da’Quan Felton came down with it in the left corner for the game-winning touchdown. Virginia Tech erupted in celebration, believing they had pulled off an incredible upset.
However, after an extended review, officials overturned the call, ruling that Felton did not maintain possession. Referee Jerry Magallanes, who gained notoriety for his involvement in a controversial Miami-Duke finish in 2015, made the announcement. The decision left the Hokies stunned and allowed Miami to escape with their perfect season intact, moving to 5-0 (1-0 ACC).
Miami quarterback Cameron Ward played the hero for the Hurricanes, throwing for 343 yards and four touchdowns. His 1-yard scoring pass to Isaiah Horton with 1:57 left in the game gave Miami the lead and ultimately proved to be the game-winner. But getting there wasn’t easy.
The Hurricanes found themselves trailing by double digits three times, the last of which came when Virginia Tech went ahead 34-24 early in the fourth quarter. Drones had been efficient for the Hokies, tossing two touchdown passes, and Bhayshul Tuten was a force on the ground, rushing for 141 yards and a score.
Virginia Tech had capitalized on Miami’s mistakes throughout the game. Three Hurricanes turnovers led to 14 Hokies points, and John Love connected on long field goals from 52 and 57 yards, keeping momentum on Virginia Tech’s side. The Hokies looked poised to topple a top-10 opponent for the first time since their 2004 victory over then-No. 6 West Virginia.
Yet, Miami showed resilience. On the game-winning drive, Ward and the Hurricanes benefited from two key escapes. The first came when Xavier Restrepo caught a fourth-down pass while falling to the ground, preserving the drive. Moments later, Ward miraculously evaded multiple sacks, including a near-certain takedown by Keyshawn Burgos, and flipped a short pass to tight end Riley Williams for a 26-yard gain down to the Hokies’ 1-yard line. This play even drew praise from NFL star Patrick Mahomes, who marveled at Ward’s escape artistry.
The Hurricanes punched it in one play later, setting up the final dramatic series for Virginia Tech.
For the Hokies, this was another bitter defeat in a close game. Since the start of 2022, they have gone just 1-10 in games decided by seven points or fewer. Despite the heartbreak, Drones’ performance and Tuten’s impressive rushing game offer positives for Virginia Tech as they try to turn their season around.
As for Miami, this victory preserved their unbeaten record and kept their playoff hopes alive. Yet, the Hurricanes know they narrowly avoided disaster.