Miami football team let down by third down defense vs. Virginia Tech

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball past Michael Pinckney #56 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball past Michael Pinckney #56 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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The Miami football team kept Virginia Tech’s next drive alive with two penalties on third down that gave the Hokies a first down. On their third down of the drive, Hooker ran two yards on third and two from the Virginia Tech 29 for the Hokies to keep the ball. Miami finally stopped Virginia Tech on third and 17 from the Hokies 24.

Miami Hurricanes Football
Miami Hurricanes Football

Miami Hurricanes Football

Virginia Tech was 7-9 on third down in the first half. The Hokies’ ability to keep drives alive was important on three of their four first-half scoring drives. Miami held the Hokies to two of seven on third downs in the second half but even that was not enough. Miami stopped McLease on third and one on the Hokies first second-half drive.

Miami scored on their first drive of the second half to give Hurricanes fans some hope. On Virginia Tech’s second drive of the second half, the Hurricanes had their second third-down stop in a row. Hooker threw incomplete to Damon Hazelton and the Hurricanes got the ball back. After a Miami punt, the Hokies got the ball back.

Virginia Tech went three and out after Hooker was incomplete on a pass intended for Kaleb Smith on third and eight from the Hokies 23 yard line. N’Kosi Perry was sacked for a loss of nine on the final play of the third quarter. Virginia Tech was  0-3 on third down in the third quarter. The Hokies entered the fourth 7-12 on third down.

Virginia Tech began their first drive of the fourth quarter on their 20 after a Miami punt. The Hokies again converted a key third down on a scoring drive to dash the hopes of the Miami faithful. Hooker and Mitchell connected on a  67-yard pass play on third and two from the Hokies 28. Virginia Tech scored three plays later.

Schedule

Schedule