A perfect storm brewed in the ACC this week with two teams set to clash Thursday with identical records, matching dual quarterback systems and even shots at a bid in the ACC championship.
But the Hokies could not keep afloat against the Hurricanes, losing their shot at a coastal division crown by losing 14-16 Thursday night in Dolphins Stadium.
"I'm proud of our football team,"
head coach Frank Beamer said. "I thought we hung in there. Defensively we hung there and offensively we hung in there and gave ourselves a chance to win."
Ultimately, Tech fell short due to shoddy special teams play.
Lou Groza award semi-finalist Matt Bosher scored nine points on the night for Miami with field goals from 21, 31, and 23 yards respectively in a 12-minute span in the late third and early forth quarters. Tech kicker Dustin Keys, also a Groza semi-finalist, hit two PAT's but missed his longest attempt on the season from 51 yards.
Redshirt senior Sean Glennon started the game, sophomore Tyrod Taylor finished it, but both of their latest efforts in the air proved futile against Miami's speedy defense.
"The big thing is that we did not capitalize,"
on offense, Glennon said. "This puts us in a in a position we don't want to be in. We want to be able to control our fate and we don't anymore."
After two weeks off nursing a high ankle sprain, sophomore Tyrod Taylor completed the night six for 12 for 75 yards through the air. Taylor rushed for 75 yards but lost 32 in sacks and broken running plays, netting only 43 yards.
While Miami boasts dual threats at quarterback with redshirt freshman Robert Marve and freshman Jacory Harris, Tech struggled most attempting to contain the Hurricane's running back tandem of sophomore Graig Cooper and junior Javarris James. The Hurricanes combined for 125 yards against the Hokies 86 yards.
"They just beat us overall,"
Taylor said. "They played harder than us, they played a great game."
After a 15-yard roughing the passer play on defensive end Orion Martin, James banged into the end zone late in the first quarter from three yards out for Miami's first score.
Almost a quarter later Taylor, apparently healed of his high ankle sprain, zigged and zagged 14 yards to the endzone for his third touchdown rushing touchdown on the season.
Yet for Taylor's limited magic, the Hurricanes subdued redshirt freshman star Darren Evans. Evans rushed for just 43 yards on 17 carries. Last Thursday night Evans set a Virginia Tech record rushing 253 yards on 32 carries.
After Tech's defense held Miami to three consecutive field goals in the late third and early fourth quarters, Taylor reached the endzone on a six yard rush for touch down with 3:28 left in the game. Miami took over on their own 22-yard line but went three and out. Miami punted deep to corner Macho Harris who called a fair catch on Tech's 32.
After gaining 8 yards on first down, the Hokies would eventually turn the ball over on downs when Tyrod Taylor was sacked on fourth and three.
The Hurricanes lead the all-time series with the Hokies 17-9.
Miami now leads the ACC's coastal division at 4-2, and 7-3 overall, with two more games to play against Georgia Tech and NC State.
The Hokies 5-4, and 3-3, play Duke next week at home on Saturday before Thanksgiving break. Duke, 1-4 in the ACC, 4-5 overall, is 1-8 versus Tech in the last nine meetings, and 0-4 since Tech joined the ACC in 2004. Kick off will be at 5:30 p.m. TV Coverage will be provided by ESPNU.
