Hail Mary touchdown overturned as No. 7 Miami survives against Virginia Tech in thriller

No. 7 Miami overcame three turnovers and a potential game-winning touchdown on the final play of the game, capping a wild 38-34 comeback victory over Virginia Tech after trailing by 10 points in the fourth quarter.

The Hokies appeared to win the game when quarterback Kyron Drones threw a pass to a crowd of players in the end zone as time expired. The play was ruled a TD on the field because Da’Quan Felton appeared to have come up with it, but it was overturned after a lengthy replay review.

On closer inspection, it didn’t appear that Felton ever had full control of the ball.

It ended an eventful and emotional back-and-forth game and helped Miami avoid a huge upset.

Miami QB Cam Ward came into the game as the Heisman betting favorite and after a rough start with two interceptions and a lost fumble, Ward showed why.

He threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the winning score on a 1-yard throw to Isaiah Horton just after the 2-minute timeout.

Ward finished 24 of 36 for 343 passing yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 57 yards and a rushing touchdown. The Hurricanes scored touchdowns on their final three possessions of the game after struggling with turnovers through the first three quarters.

And along the way, Ward made plays like this:

His brilliance in the closing minutes erased what would have been an ugly game for both him and the Miami team that has College Football Playoff aspirations this season.

Damien Martinez led the Hurricanes with 60 yards rushing on 14 carries, while Elijah Arroyo caught two passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Restrepo added 60 yards on five receptions, with Jacolby George catching four passes for 59 yards and a score.

Virginia Tech couldn’t put Miami aside

Virginia Tech had a 27–17 lead midway through the third quarter and a chance to add a field goal, but attempted a fake with a scoop pass from holder Peter Moore to tight end Harrison Saint Germain. Miami’s Malik Bryant was undeterred and quickly tackled Saint Germain.

Miami then capped an eight-play, 89-yard drive with Ward running 17 yards for a score, cutting the Hokies’ lead to 27–24. The comeback seemed imminent for the Hurricanes.

Virginia Tech appeared to apply the dagger early in the fourth quarter on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Drones to Ayden Greene. On 3rd and 9, a field goal seemed likely, especially when Drones was chased out of the pocket by an approaching Elijah Alston. But Drones dodged the pressure as he rolled to his right and threw a heave off his back foot to Greene as he cut through the end zone.

Drones finished with 189 yards and completed 19 of 32 passes with two touchdowns and one interception. But the third TD that was ultimately destroyed would have made his night shine. Instead, it was a heartbreaking end to a game that the Hokies almost won but couldn’t close when the opportunity arose.

Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 141 yards with one score on 19 carries, while Drones ran for 52 yards to lead a Hokies rushing attack that amassed 206 yards.

Next up for Miami is a road trip to play Cal next Saturday at 10:30 PM ET. Virginia Tech also heads west for a matchup with Stanford at 3:30 PM ET.