Virginia beats Pittsburgh and Miami regains own ACC Championship path

Miami is back in control of its own path to the ACC Championship Game following the 24-19 Virginia win at Pittsburgh on Saturday. If Miami beats Wake Forest on November 23 and Syracuse on November 30. Pittsburgh played a significant portion of the game without quarterback Eli Holstein and two top receivers.

Holstein was largely ineffective completing 10 passes in 23 attempts for 121 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions versus Virginia. Pittsburgh backup quarterback Nate Yarnell completed four passes in 12 attempts for 44 yards, one TD and two interceptions after Holstein was knocked out of the game.

Anthony Colandrea completed 16 passes in 24 attempts for 143 yards, one TD and two interceptions with 14 carries for 40 yards. Virginia took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. Pittsburgh rallied for 13 unanswered points. Virginia scored TDs 2:05 apart in the third quarter to surge in front 21-13.

Pittsburgh scored a TD with 10:32 remaining in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 21-19. The Pittsburgh two-point conversion failed after the intial try was successful but called back because of a penalty. There was also a controversial play later in the fourth quarter on a fourth and one play for UVA deep in Pittsburgh territory.

It initially appeared Virginia was stopped on fourth and one, but the referees had blown the whistle and called the play dead. Virginia converted and later kicked a field goal to go in front 24-19. On the final possession of the game with Pittsburgh driving for a potential go-ahead TD Virginia intercepted Yarnell and ran out the clock from there.

SMU leads the ACC with a 5-0 record and had a bye this week. Clemson is 6-1 and Miami 5-1 in the ACC after the results today. If Miami wins its final two ACC games they will be in the conference championship game in Charlotte on December 7. Miami hosts Wake Forest on November 23 and is at Syracuse on November 30.