Ward, No. 7 Miami Hurricanes Survive Against Virginia Tech

Photo byEric ProuzetonUnsplash

Cam Ward didn’t have his greatest game as the No. 7-ranked Miami Hurricanes quarterback, but he delivered in the clutch to take down the Virginia Tech Hokies 38-34. The win kept Miami unbeaten, but “The U” almost saw that “U” stand for upset.

Ward, who had three turnovers—one fumble and two interceptions—in the game, put things together in the fourth quarter on Friday night. With less than two minutes left to play, Ward connected with Isaiah Horton on a 1-yard touchdown pass. It proved to be the winning margin and was Ward’s fourth touchdown pass against the Hokies.

Miami Hurricanes Pull Off Comeback

While Miami fans probably will focus on the Hurricanes’ furious comeback, Virginia Tech probably feels furious in its own way. A Hail Mary pass almost became one of those incredible college football finishes fans love to talk about and remember. Virginia Tech fans will remember this one, though, as one that might have gotten away.

The Hokies managed to move beyond the 50-yard line and into Miami Hurricanes territory. With mere seconds left in the game, Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones heaved the football 30 yards in the air. Wide receiver Da’Quan Felton went up and seemingly caught the ball amid a crowd of Hokies and Hurricanes. The final play turned into a lengthy officials’ review. Both teams were asked to return to their respective sidelines while the review was taking place.

It seemed to take forever. But in the end, the review determined that Felton did not catch the ball and have possession. The lead referee informed everyone in the stadium of the overturned call. That set off a celebratory moment for Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and his team. Ward made his way over to Felton after the call was overturned, giving his quarterback counterpart a hug.

Television replays from ESPN seemed to show Felton have possession of the football after going up to get it. Miami defenders, though, wrestled for the ball as well. In the official reviewer’s eyes, Miami had possession and ended both teams’ first Atlantic Coast Conference game of the season on that note.

Miami Stays Unbeaten On Season

Miami is now 5-0 overall, 1-0 in ACC play. Virginia Tech falls to 2-3, 0-1, The Associated Press reported. The victory was the first time in four seasons that the Hurricanes have won their ACC opener.

Ward finished the night with 343 yards passing. He also now has 18 touchdown passes this season, giving him the national lead in that category. Miami happened to trail in this game by double digits three different times. Yet the Hurricanes put things together to rally back after being down 34-24 with 12:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.

As for the Hokies, Drones had two TD passes and running back Bhayshul Tuten picked up 141 yards on the ground and a TD. Placekicker John Love connected on 52- and 56-yard field goals for Virginia Tech. The Hokies turned three Miami turnovers into 14 points.

For More Great Content

Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out—explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.

Article originally written by Joe Rutland.