MIA RECORD: 2-2 (0-1 ACC) (W 45-14 against Bethune-Cookman)
VT RECORD: 4-1 (0-1 ACC) (L 23-3 against #13 Clemson)
SCORE: (21) VT 38 – MIA 35
GAME SUMMARY: Where to begin? Perhaps the most memorable showdown in the rivalry’s history provided a plethora of highlights. The Hokies jumped to a 21-7 halftime lead, with Miami leaving points on the field after Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and Jayron Hosley stopped Spencer Whipple on a fake field goal attempt at the end of the Hurricanes’ opening drive. Miami began to assert themselves offensively, using a distinct weight advantage along the o-line to score 28 second-half points. The Miami rally was aided by am unsportsmanlike conduct penalty assessed to J.R. Collins after his sack of Jacory Harris would have forced a 4th and 20. Logan Thomas, who was masterful all game, got the ball back with 2:46 remaining and a four point deficit courtesy of Lamar Miller’s second touchdown of the day. Thomas had three quick completions, but the drive stalled at Miami’s 19 yard line. On 4th and 1, Thomas saw daylight, and run untouched into the endzone, giving Tech a slim lead. Miami got the ball back with 47 seconds left, and, well, see for yourself.
LOCK IT IN THE LUNCHPAIL: After a string of relatively uninspiring performances, Logan Thomas broke out in the grandest of fashions, demonstrating he could not only be a legitimate college quarterback, but showing he was capable of completely taking over a game and willing his team to victory. In a matchup in which both quarterbacks played exceptional – Jacory Harris threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns – Thomas turned in the best passing performance in school history: 23 of 25 for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Thomas’ two incompletions came on a David Wilson drop and a throwaway after a broken play. The offensive line, abused by Clemson’s front seven, did not allow a sack. David Wilson registered his fourth hundred-yard effort (137) in five games. The defense, further ravaged by injuries, wore down and proved susceptible to the run in the second half…but pressured Harris when they most needed. This game had a feel of a heavyweight bout, with both teams facing an 0-2 conference record with a loss. Tech not only kept pace with the rest of the ACC Coastal, the Hokies gained a new leader as well.
MIA SEASON RECORD: 6-6 (3-5 ACC) Tied, 4th ACC Coastal.
SEASON SUMMARY: There were many questions about the Miami program coming into the season, even before the Yahoo! Sports investigation became the first (of many) stories to rock the college football landscape. Al Golden’s team was shorthanded in their opener against Maryland, and lost in College Park, making the Tech game an early must-win in regards to competing for the ACC Coastal. Meeting their B1G counterpart, Ohio State, resulted in a sloppy 24-6 win. Looking back, the 4-point defeat at home to Kansas State does not look so bad; Bill Snyder’s crew finished 10-2, with losses coming to #9 Oklahoma and #3 Oklahoma State. The Hurricanes were able to break .500 after back to back victories over North Carolina and #22 Georgia Tech, but floundered down the stretch. Losses to Virginia, Florida State, and Boston College (!) could not be offset with unimpressive victories over Duke and South Florida. As the season drew to a close, the University decided to forego any bowl invitation, due to the ongoing NCAA investigation.
OFFENSIVE MVP: RB Lamar Miller. 1357 TYD – 10 TTD.
The sophomore running back was sensational in Miami’s first five games, eclipsing 100-yards rushing in each of the contests. Miller ran for 184 yards against an Ohio State defense that finished the regular season ranked 26th. He averaged 9 yards per touch against Virginia Tech, and added a 79-yard touchdown romp in the season finale against Boston College.
DEFENSIVE MVP: LB Sean Spence. 106 TK – 14 TFL – 3 SK.
Spence finished fifth in the ACC in tackles. Selected 1st Team All-ACC, the senior had sacks in back-to-back games against Kansas State and Bethune-Cookman, and registered 14 tackles three times (KSU, UNC, BC).
POSTSEASON: Voluntary withholders from bowl participation.
