Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior Writer September 28, 2024, 2:01am ET
Close the ACC Reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2010. Graduated from University of Florida.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami and Virginia Tech took turns winning on Friday night after a wild final play that left one team angry and heartbroken and the other ecstatic. celebrated. Of course, there can only be one winner.
Miami’s Isaiah Horton broke free from a tangle of seven Miami and Virginia Tech players in the back of the end zone, but officials said Virginia Tech receiver Daquan Felton came down with the ball before it was recovered. It was ruled that
Virginia Tech touchdown.
The Hokies then ran onto the field in celebration with their helmets held high, believing they had won the game with a 30-yard Hail Mary heave into the end zone from Kyron Drones. Both teams competed hard on the field, and while Virginia Tech believed they would win, Miami was in disbelief at the call.
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Chaos reigned. Referee Jerry Magallanes ordered them to return to their respective sidelines, and a replay review began.
Virginia Tech was confident that the demands on the ground would hold. Miami was confident replay officials would rule the pass incomplete. At least six minutes had passed, but the wait was so long that Miami manager Mario Cristobal called it “a liability issue, considering the heart condition of everyone on the sideline.”
Magallanes took to the microphone and announced that the on-field touchdown call was overturned, allowing the Hurricanes to celebrate a 38-34 victory.
In a statement issued two hours after the game ended, the ACC said, “During the review process of the final play of the Virginia Tech-Miami game, it was determined that a Miami player touched a loose ball during his ejection.” Ta. If it bounces, the pass is incomplete and play ends immediately. ”
Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry, visibly shaken, said after the game, “I hope they made the right decision, the way the game ended. We took it and reversed it.” , I hope we take that away from the kids, the coaches, the fans.” Got it right. ”
After the play, Pry ran up to the officials and asked, “How did you fix it?”
“He said, ‘Touchdown,'” Pry said. “Normally you look at something this long and it doesn’t get overturned. I didn’t think there was enough evidence to overturn it. So, like I said, I hope they made the right decision. I hope you did.”
This ending featured more magic from Cam Ward, a stuffed fake field goal attempt, Xavier Restrepo’s 4th-down catch on his back, Beischur Tuten running wild through Miami’s defense, and a drone showing off his team’s It concluded a four-hour match in which victory appeared to be on the verge of victory. .
Miami overcame a 10-point deficit, its largest of the season, in the fourth quarter to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech dropped a one-point game for the third time this season. In the aftermath, both coaches referred to an ending so wild it seemed difficult to comprehend an hour later.
“I saw an incomplete pass, that’s all I can say,” Cristobal said.
Later, when asked what his emotions were as he waited for the replay to make the decision, Cristobal said, “It’s wild. (In) college football, it’s completely clear and easy to win games.” It’s never the whole thing, it’s never the whole thing.” The way out of it continues. In the end, we talked about not leaving a match like this in the hands of the authorities because we might be disappointed. To win. ”
Miami’s players went through various emotional stages as they awaited the final decision from officials, but Virginia Tech was left with an overwhelming disappointment in the outcome. The Hokies led 34-31 with 8:40 left. But a quick three-and-out gave the ball back to Miami.
Ward had three turnovers in the game (two interceptions and a fumble) but was a wizard on the resulting game-winning drive. On fourth-and-3 at the Virginia Tech 50, Ward went to Restrepo, slipped and fell, but still made the catch. He forced Horton on another third down before making his best play of the game.
With one out and 10 base from the Virginia Tech 27, Virginia Tech defensive end Keyshawn Burgos grabbed Ward, but Ward escaped. Caleb Spencer then tried to take him down. Thinking quickly, Ward flipped the ball back to the waiting Riley Williams, who ran to the 2-yard line, forcefully hitting the oncoming Kelly Lawson in the process. Ward said he always tells Williams in those situations to not block and wait for a potential outlet pass.
Ward then threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Horton with 1:57 remaining to give Miami the lead. Then the drones went into action, marching Virginia Tech onto the field. He scrambled to the Miami 30-yard line with eight seconds left, leaving three seconds left on the final play. Virginia Tech sent Felton, Jaylin Lane and Stephen Gosnell into the end zone. Miami had Horton, Mishael Powell, Jadice Richard and Diyoni Hill. They all jumped towards the ball at the same time. Felton scored, but he, Lane and Horton all appeared to go wide, and replays showed the ball moving. Miami players involved in the play told their teammates it was an incomplete pass. “I thought it would turn the game around just because everyone was out of bounds,” Ward said.
However, the play was ruled a touchdown on the field, so Virginia Tech felt that was enough to win. “I don’t see how that call is going to be reversed,” Drones said. “Probably because I played here.”
Pry said after the game that it was difficult to find the words to tell the team in the locker room.
“They’re hurting, so I said I hope they do it right,” Pry said. “I can tell them I’m proud of them, and I did, but it’s not helping them right now.”
