’Canes overcome adversity to win another ACC thriller
Another weekend, another exhilarating come fromACC road win for the Miami Hurricanes settled in the final minutes — despite the team having double-digit players unavailable.
Quarterback D’Eriq King connected with Mark Pope for the winning touchdown strike with under six minutes to play and the defense, after struggling early, held late in a 25-24 victory for No. 9 Miami on Saturday at Lane Stadium. The Hurricanes won despite being without 13 players due to COVID-19 concerns, many on the offensive line and defensive front.
“The resilience of this team week in and week out is special,” said UM coach Manny Diaz, who revealed after the game that the Hurricanes were on the brink of being unable to play. “Some of the things that we encountered this week and some of the things that we had to overcome this week just to get here, just to play, and the attitude that our guys kept, theway that they wanted to go play, I’m so proud of them.
“They, week in and week out, with all the adversity that they have to face, find a way to make it. They play for each other so hard.”
Miami (7-1, 6-1ACC) won its fourth straight game and got another crucial conference victory on the road after winning a thriller at North Carolina State last week. Virginia Tech fell to 4-4, 4-3 in the ACC.
King was 24-of-38 passing for 255 yards, including the late touchdown to Pope and added a rushing score. His top target was junior wideout Dee Wiggins, who rebounded from a costly early drop to go for eight receptions and106 yards.
Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker was 18 of 28 for 207 yards and added 53-yard rushing touchdown. Running back Jalen Holston added two touchdowns for the Hokies to make up for lead back Khalil Herbert, an American Heritage grad, being limited with a hamstring injury.
Without two starters on its offensive line, Miami surrendered six sacks to Virginia Tech, many on crucial third downs. UM also had six sacks of its own, with defensive end Jaelan Phillips providing 2 1⁄2 and striker Gilbert Frierson two.
The Hurricanes took their only lead when King found Pope, who finished with four receptions for 50 yards, over the middle for the 36-yard touchdown with 5:59 to play. They failed on the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt, trying to turn a one-point lead to a three-point cushion.
“I just saw everybody blitzing, King looked at me, gave me a signal and made it happen,” Pope said. “It actually felt great putting the team on my back for a moment like that. [Michael] Harley did it the last time [at N.C. State].”
Added King: “I knew Pope was going to win [on his route], and he did. He did a great job getting to the end zone.”
Cornerback Te’Cory Couch, who got his first start on Saturday and was dominant on the nickel blitz throughout the game, came up with an interception on the following play from scrimmage.
“My guy ran a post, so I was kind of shocked that [Hooker] threw it,” Couch said, “but when I saw him throwit, I just tried to make a play on the ball.”
Miami went three-andout on two ensuing possessions, not burning much time after Couch’s takeaway and giving the Hokies two more opportunities to win.
On Virginia Tech’s first chance that followed, after Bradley Jennings Jr. nearly intercepted a pass in Hokies territory, Hooker slipped to the ground on a third-and-15, forcing Virginia Tech to punt.
The Hokies’ last drive saw them go from their own 4-yard line to around midfield but ended as they tried a final play with three laterals as time expired and Kaleb Smith was tackled near the UM sideline by Phillips and Gurvan Hall.
Miami returns home to host Georgia Tech next Saturday. The Yellow Jackets’ game against Pittsburgh this week was postponed as both teams were dealing with COVID-19 issues.