Virginia caught a break. Miami did not.
In a must-win game, the Hurricanes would suffer a heartbreaking loss to Virginia at home on Thursday night, 30-28. After putting up a fight to come back, freshman kicker Andres Borregales doinked a 33-yard field goal as time expired. With the loss, Miami drops to 2-3 (0-1 in the ACC). With the win, Virginia moves to 3-2 (1-2 in the ACC).
Miami:
Miami had a very slow first half, with only 94 yards of total offense. Miami’s only score of the first half would be a two-yard TD run by Cam’Ron Harris, after a 36-yard catch by Charleston Rambo. By the end of the game, Rambo had five receptions for 99 yards. Meanwhile, Harris had a pretty good game, with 14 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
QBs D’Eriq King (shoulder) and Jake Garcia (leg) were out Thursday, meaning Tyler Van Dyke got the starting nod. It would be a tale of two halves for the QB. During the first half, he went 4/12 for 63 yards, getting sacked three times in the process. Meanwhile, in the second half, Van Dyke rebounded well, going 11/17 for 140 yards and a touchdown. In the running game, Van Dyke had eight carries for six yards and a touchdown.
Other top performers for Miami were RB Jaylan Knighton and WR Mike Harley. Knighton had 15 carries for 44 yards. Meanwhile, Harley had six receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Virginia:
Virginia used a great first half to propel themselves to a win on Thursday night. Two of their top running backs, Wayne Taulapapa and Mike Hollins, each had a touchdown in the first half. In addition, Manny Alonso, a Miami native, got a safety after pinning Cam Harris in the end zone.
In the third quarter, on second and 17 from the 36, Brennan Armstrong, the ACC’s leading passer, thought he threw an interception to Miami DB Marcus Clarke. Instead, it ended up in the hands of WR Dontayvion Wicks. It was considered an ESPN SC Top 10 Nominee and would put them up 27-14.
In total, QB Brennan Armstrong was 25/44 for 268 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
Next Up
Miami will have a bye week before traveling to North Carolina (2-2). A loss to North Carolina will likely increase the chances of Manny Diaz getting fired.