College Football Game Recap: Virginia Tech at Miami on 11-20-10

In Miami we have a battle ensuing with ACC Title implications on the line, as the Hokies of West Virginia take on the Miami Hurricanes. Both teams are very athletic and have lots of speed on both sides of the ball. Damien Berry for the Hurricanes takes control of the line of scrimmage early in the first quarter thanks to his breakaway speed and the big guys in the trenches holding their blocks. After sustaining the running game and gaining 40 yards rushing, a play action pass to Leonard Hankerson gets the Hurricanes an early lead in the first. With this touchdown reception he surpasses Michael Irving for the most touchdown receptions in Miami history. With an opportunity for the Hurricanes to take control after allowing only one first down on the ground by Tyrod Taylor for 17 yards. The punt was fumbled by Travis Benjamin giving the ball right back to the Hokies.

Directly following the Canes turnover, Tyrod Taylor was Sacked by Marcus Robinson who is credited with the forced fumble. Then the Canes came out using some trickery and go with a flea flicker that allots them 43 yards and really gets the crowd into it as the stadium erupts! Later on they drive another untimely turnover on 4th and 1. Miami goes for it in their own red zone. Bad decision. It's entirely too early to be going for that on 4th down in the first quarter. They should get the points while the opportunity is at hand. On the ensuing possession Tyrod Taylor leads the troops down field on a 12 play 88 yard drive that took just over 6 minutes and took away some of the momentum that the Canes had, calming the crowd. That finished the first quarter.

To start the 2nd quarter, Miami had an answer for the Virginia Tech drive with a nice mix of run and pass. Morris for the Canes leads them down field in 11 plays obtaining 55 yards and taking 4 minutes to get into field goal range as the Canes tack on 3 off the leg of Matt Bosher. From 34 yards he knocks it through the uprights to make it 10-7 early in the 2nd Quarter. On the ensuing Virginia Tech drive, penalties plague the Canes as they forfeit 30 yards. Recently this has been troublesome Miami in many of their games. The pass interference call puts the Hokies in field goal range as Chris Hazely makes the 49 yard field goal to tie the game up at 10, 5 minutes into the 2nd Quarter. Miami looked good on the drive following the Tech field goal until some miscommunication between the center and Rookie QB Stephen Morris causes the 3rd Cane turnover of the Half. The turnover doesn't result in any points for Tech. After the Canes defense allows 1 first down, the punt into the end zone is a touchback. Miami marches down and misses a field goal to pretty much close out the half.

As Miami received the ball in the first half the Hokies got the ball to start the second. The second half started out a little slow with both defenses forcing a punt. After sustaining a drive on the second possession for Tech, the drive is capped off with a beautiful pass from Tyrod Taylor to Danny Coale for 43 yards and the first score of the second half. Miami will not go down without a fight!!! Miller Sparks the drive for the Canes with a 47 yard scamper, resulting in a touchdown to tie the game up at 17 late in the 3rd. Miller comes with a rushing touchdown for Miami from 4 yards out. The Tech drive following the score results in a punt for the Hokies and the Canes take over inside their own 20. They come out swinging and win the battle in the trenches with the big hosses up front creating some nice holes for Damien Berry and Miller on the prior drive. This closes out the 3rd quarter...

Not even a minute and a half into the 4rth quarter Ryan Williams breaks free for the Hokies and takes it to the house for 84 Yards!!! He was off to the races and none of the speedsters on defense for the Canes could catch him. After he broke out of the gates he was unstoppable and streaked to the end zone. This just goes to show that sticking to the running game definitely becomes beneficial in the 4th quarter. Mind you the winner of this game goes to the ACC title game, so in this rivalry emotions are high and this game is shaping up to be one that fans expected from 2 teams that joined the ACC at the same time. However Miami has never played for a title since they moved divisions and joined the ACC.

A timely interception for the Hokies comes close to sewing this one up for Virginia. If they can capitalize on the 4th turnover of the game for the Hurricanes and take over with the rock in their own territory. Taylor for the Hokies scrambles and trots into the end zone from 18 yards out and the drought continues due to the turnover. If Miami can't get a couple quick strikes and a a defensive stop following a TD they are in trouble. With 5:18 left in the 4th, the 5th turnover of the night for Miami comes down with the second interception of the game. This will most likely result in a win for the Hokies as they come out in the 4th playing amazing defense, which we've seen from them all night.

The entire game Miami had controlled the line of scrimmage and in the 4th they weren't able to continue winning that battle. The turnovers on back to back possessions is what cost Miami the game. One last opportunity for the Canes and another pick seals the the deal as Virginia Tech wins the Game 31-17. With this victory Virginia Tech becomes the first team since 1990 in the ACC to turn the table and go undefeated in the conference. The last team to accomplish this feat was Florida State in 1990.

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