No. 7 Miami survived a harrowing upset attempt from Virginia Tech on Friday night, escaping Miami Gardens with a 38-34 victory over the Hokies.
The contest had a little bit of everything for football fans. Heisman hopeful Cam Ward overcame a series of uncharacteristic miscues to add to his candidacy. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes (5-0) surged back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to hold serve in the race for College Football Playoff qualification.
The Hokies (2-3) were equally game, flashing a level of consistency they've rarely displayed thus far. And if not for a contentious last-second call, Brent Pry's side could've ended the night with so much more.
MORE: College football schedule today
With that, here's what you need to know about the controversial ending to Friday night's clash between ACC rivals.
Miami-Virginia Tech ending, explained
Facing a four-point deficit with three seconds left, Virginia Tech needed a prayer. The Hokies turned to star quarterback Kyron Drones, hoping he could deliver an answer some 30 yards away from the end zone.
Drones launched a missile towards the back of the end zone, hoping it could find the grasp of one of his white-and-burgundy-clad teammates.
As the leatherbound orb hurtled towards the turf, a sea of limbs made a play for it, some belonging to Virginia Tech players, others of a Miami disposition.
HAIL MARY NO GOOD 😳
— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2024
No. 7 Miami outlasted Virginia Tech after the Hokies' final play was ruled incomplete. pic.twitter.com/Xrpl2UFod9
Once the mire of bodies that pooled into the end zone was separated, one man appeared to have won out: Hokies wideout Da'Quan Felton, who appeared to hauled in the unruly pass and secured a shock VT victory.
The referees appeared to be in agreement, initially ruling Felton's grab a touchdown. The Hokies had vanquished one of their most prominent rivals. And they did so in style.
Or did they? The nature of Felton's catch — contested by any and all who was in his immediate vicinity — gave onlookers pause. The ball appeared to be dislodged as the play wore on, although it was unclear quite when the play had been ruled dead in the first place.
After a lengthy replay review, officials found that Felton did not complete the catch as previously believed. The pass was ruled incomplete, consigning Virginia Tech to yet another heart-wrenching defeat.
The ACC explained its move to overturn the initial call on the field on Saturday morning.
“During the review process of the last play of the Virginia Tech at Miami game, it was determined that the loose ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds which makes it an incomplete pass and immediately ends the play," the league announced (via The Athletic's Pete Thamel).
That answer didn't do much to assuage Hokie heartbreak.
“That’s a tough one right there. The way that game ended, I hope they got that call right,” Pry said postgame. “To take that, to overturn it, take it from our kids, our coaches, our fans, I hope they got it right.”
