Miami football loses head scratcher to Virginia

So many things went wrong for the Miami football team and the game came down to freshman kicker Andres Borregales hitting the left upright on a 33-yard field goal on the final play in a 30-28 loss to Virginia. A first-half safety and third quarter two-point conversion in the third quarter by the Cavaliers were the difference.

The game was a head-scratcher in many ways. Preceding the two-point conversion that Virginia converted in the third quarter the Cavaliers scored an improbable touchdown. Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks caught the ball in the end zone after it was deflected by Miami cornerback Marcus Clarke and hit his own back.

Wicks then rolled over and lying on his back in the end zone secured the football with one hand for the touchdown. Miami was dominated for most of the game. The Hurricanes had 24 yards on their first four drives of the game. Miami came alive offensively on their final drive of the second quarter for their first points of the game.

Virginia scored on their second drive of the game, added another score in the second quarter and led 16-7 at halftime. The second TD for Virginia came after Miami cut the lead to 9-7. Miami gained 26 yards on 15 plays the first five drives of the second half. They were fortunate one of those was a TD drive after an interception.

Corey Flagg had the interception. Mike Harley hauled in a 16-yard TD reception three plays later and Miami cut the lead to 19-14. Virginia answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that concluded with Willis’ improbable TD reception. The Miami football team scored on their next drive on a 57-yard Cam’Ron Harris TD run.

Harris finished with 111 yards on 14 carries and two TDs. Jaylan Knighton ran 14 times for 44 yards in his season debut.  After starting the game 9-21, Tyler Van Dyke finished his second start of the season 15-29 for 203 yards, one TD and no interceptions. Van Dyke also had a key 24 yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

Charleston Rambo led Miami with five receptions for 99 yards. Harley finished with six for 45 yards and Xavier Restrepo had one reception for 45 yards. Flagg was the player of the game for Miami defensively with six tackles to go with the interception. Miami is off until playing at North Carolina on October 16.