ACC issues statement on Virginia Tech Hail Mary versus Miami

The ACC issued a statement regarding the overturn of the Virginia Tech Hail Mary on the final play of the game versus Miami on Friday night. Once a Miami player who was out of bounds touched the ball, the play was dead. The question of whether or not the play was a catch at that point is moot.

Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones lofted the ball on the final play from the Miami 30 to the back of the end zone where the dispute about whether is was caught by Hokies' wide receiver De'Quan Felton begins. While Felton was juggling the ball, Miami WR Isaiah Horton in for the Hail Mary was the player in question who was out of bounds.

Miami and Virginia Tech both had TDs called back on Friday night because of questionable holding calls. There were numerous plays Miami and Virginia Tech can point to on Friday night that cost them the game. Miami quarterback Cam Ward lost a fumble and threw two interceptions.

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry had his lack of clock management called into question at the end of both halves. The Hokies chose not to run the clock down at the end of the first half and gave Miami the ball with 20 seconds remaining after calling timeout to set up a field goal.

Following a Chris Johnson 34 yard kickoff return and pass interference penalty on Virginia Tech, Andres Borregales kicked a 56-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 24-17 at halftime. Pry was also criticized for his clock management on the final drive. Virginia Tech had 32 and 22 seconds bled off the clock on the final drive.

The ending of the Virginia Tech at Miami game was reminiscent of the Hurricanes' win at Duke in 2015. Jerry Magallanes was the referee for both games. The circumstances were very different when Miami beat Duke with eight laterals on the kickoff following a Blue Devils' with six seconds remaining.