Miami football team let down by third down defense vs. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech took over on their second drive at their own 20 following an interception by defensive back
in the end zone. The Hokies were unable to convert on third and five from their own 25. Hooker threw incomplete to wide receiver
. It was the only time Virginia Tech didn’t score on their first five
.
After Williams threw his third interception of the game in as many drives, Virginia Tech took over at the Miami 23 yard line. On third and six from the Miami 16 Hooker ran 15 yards to the Hurricanes one-yard line to set up first and goal. Bubba Bolden was called for a late hit following the play.
One play later James Mitchell scored his second touchdown of the season on just his third carry. That put Virginia Tech up 21-0. The Hokies ended the first quarter 3-4 on first downs. That would be a foreshadowing of what was to come for the remainder of the game. Virginia Tech began the second quarter with the ball.
The first play of the second quarter should not be surprising. On third and ten from the Virginia Tech 20 yard line Hokies running back, Deshawn McClease ran 26 yards to the 46 for a first down. Virginia Tech would convert two more third downs on the drive. Hooker connected with tight end Dalton Keene for a TD for a 28-0 Hokies lead.
Through their first five drives of the game, Virginia Tech converted 7-8 on third down. Miami was much better throughout the remainder of the game, but the Hokies’ success on third down staked them to a lead that proved to be too much for Miami to climb out of. The Miami football team tied the game at 35 late but it wasn’t enough.