Miami Hurricanes Cruise to Convincing 28-10 Win Over Virginia Tech
The Miami Hurricanes got the dominant performance defensively that has been expected of them all year and used timely offensive plays to defeat Virginia Tech 28-10 on Saturday night Hard Rock Stadium.
The Miami Hurricanes defense was dominant throughout the night. The Hurricanes held Virginia Tech to 299 yards, forced four turnovers, had eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson had trouble getting anything going all night.
Virginia Tech’s only touchdown drive was 17 yards in five plays. The Hokies took over in the red zone after one of their three interceptions on the night. Jackson went in from a yard out. Miami scored two drives later to push the lead back to 11 points at 21-10,
Rosier had another inconsistent game. Some have claimed the worst game of his Miami Hurricanes career. He finished 10-21 for 193 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Rosier did add 84 yards rushing on 11 carries with one touchdown. That includes the yardage lost on sacks.
Travis Homer had 95 yards on 14 carries. His 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter gave Miami a 14-0 lead. The Miami running game woke up after a poor performance against North Carolina last week.
Miami ran for 219 yards on 35 carries for a 6.3-yard average and two touchdowns. DeeJay Dallas added 32 yards on six carries.
Rosier got help throughout his receiving core. Three Miami receivers had over 50 yards receiving. Tight end Chris Herndon IV had two receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. Braxton Berrios had three receptions for 50 and a touchdown. Ahmmon Richards added three receptions for 57 yards.
Berrios also completed a 17-yard pass to Malik Rosier on the first drive and added a nine yard run on the opening possession.
Jeff Thomas was shut out for the first time since the Toledo game, but he did draw a pass interference call.
The story of the night was the defense. The Hokies punted on their first five possessions as Miami took a 14-0 lead. Virginia had 20 plays for 55 yards on their first five drives. That set the momentum for the night.
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The Hokies got on the board on their first drive of the second half. That got them back in the game momentarily.
Other than a one play drive to end the first half the Rosier threw interceptions on three straight possessions flanking the first and second halves.
Miami’s magic number to clinch the ACC Coastal Divison now stands at one. Either a Virginia loss or a Miami win the rest of the way will clinch a trip to their first ACC Championship game next month.
The Hurricanes shredded one of the nation’s best defenses. Miami scored 28 points against the nation’s second-best scoring defense. The Hokies entered the game allowing 11.5 points per game.
Virginia Tech was also ninth in the country allowing 284.5 yards per game. Miami was able to roll up 429 yards. The Hurricanes also continued their mode of going for the big play. Rosier completed seven passes for 15 yards or more. The Canes added six plays on the ground for ten yards or more.
The win ensures that the Hurricanes will stay in the top ten for the fourth consecutive week. That’s the first time that’s happened since 2005.
Next up for Miami is Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish come to Hard Rock Stadium with an 8-1 record and the third ranking in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
Next: What Do Miami Hurricanes Have to do Get Hype Back?
One of the biggest games in Miami in many years, ESPN College GameDay will be heading to Miami for the first time in 16 years. It will also be the first time that GameDay will be on the University of Miami campus.