MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Mario Cristobal is aware of what it’s prefer to be on the improper facet of a controversial end.
So, as an alternative of describing what the agonizing closing moments of Friday night time’s sport have been actually like for him and his group as officers spent at the least six minutes reviewing whether or not or not Virginia Tech receiver Da’Quan Felton had caught a game-winning go in the long run zone, Miami’s coach stored his view of what occurred easy.
“I noticed an incomplete go,” Cristobal stated. “That’s all I can say.”
Fortunately for him, referees noticed it the identical approach.
The Canes held on to beat the Hokies 38-34.
At 1:15 a.m., almost two hours after officers dominated Kyron Drones’ last-gasp go incomplete, an ACC spokesperson put out a press release explaining why refs overturned their preliminary ruling on the sphere.
“Throughout the overview means of the final play …,” the assertion learn, “it was decided that the unfastened ball was touched by a Miami participant whereas he was out of bounds, which makes it an incomplete go and instantly ends the play.”
AFTER FURTHER REVIEW THE TOUCHDOWN IS OVER TURNED THE HURRICANES WIN THE GAME!!#VirginiaTech #Miami #MiamiFL
— SportsCastProductions (@SportsCastProd) September 28, 2024
“I don’t know the way that decision will get overturned,” Drones stated after the Hokies left Laborious Rock Stadium heartbroken and 2-3 on the season. “Most likely as a result of we performed right here.”
Hokies coach Brent Pry stated he by no means obtained a proof on the sphere from referees for why they reversed the decision. His report is now 1-10 in one-score video games at Virginia Tech.
The Hokies are entitled to really feel like they acquired screwed on the ultimate play.
The Canes? They’re proper to really feel good they escaped this ACC opener with a win. A 12 months in the past, you may bear in mind, Cristobal was answering a unique set of questions after his group blew a 20-17 result in Georgia Tech after one of the boneheaded choices we’ve ever seen a head coach make.
This time, Miami got here out on the correct facet of an extended overview and 5-0 within the standings. There’s one thing to be stated for that.
Da’Quan Felton of Virginia Tech catches the ball in the long run zone together with Miami’s Isaiah Horton and Mishael Powell. The preliminary name of a game-winning landing name was overturned. (Doug Murray / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
“We overcame loads of stuff — loads of self-inflicted points,” Cristobal stated. “It definitely wasn’t our greatest efficiency. However whenever you play convention (opponents), count on it to be playoff soccer.
“There’s loads to study from this sport movie. It’s a kind of days the place you’re lucky sufficient to study loads of your classes with out struggling the consequence of a loss. We turned the ball over uncharacteristically. We had some stress on our personal quarterback. We had about 5 guys go down on protection. Lot of fellows needed to step up. Some have been prepared. Some battled arduous, however weren’t perhaps fairly as prepared as a few of these frontline guys.”
Cam Ward as soon as once more put the Hurricanes on his again. The Heisman front-runner in keeping with Vegas oddsmakers threw for 343 yards and 4 touchdowns and ran for 57 yards and one other rating. He additionally turned it over 3 times, which is why Miami discovered itself trailing at halftime and by 10 factors within the third quarter.
Brent Pry: “I hope they acquired it proper”
— Pointless Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 28, 2024
If you wish to criticize the Hurricanes for not protecting the 19.5-point unfold Las Vegas set earlier this week (the identical unfold Miami was favored by to beat Georgia Tech final season), it’s in all probability as a result of they’re counting on Ward a bit an excessive amount of to be the hero.
Till this season, Cristobal has at all times banked on a stout offensive line and operating sport to set the tone for his groups. However Damian Martinez — the prized Oregon State switch Miami signed after the spring — has but to get his wheels going. He ran for 60 yards Friday and has but to hit the 100-yard mark on the bottom in a sport for the Hurricanes.
Miami’s protection, which had been dominant in non-conference play, lastly regarded extra like most of us anticipated them to be in opposition to a quarterback like Drones and a proficient tailback like Bhayshul Tuten. That will be common.
Cristobal stated he thought his group lacked juice early, however credited them for the way they stored combating till the top.
It’s scary how shortly the momentum swung in Virginia Tech’s favor after a holding penalty known as on left deal with Markel Bell halfway by the second quarter negated a Ward landing go that may’ve put the Hurricanes forward 21-7.
As an alternative of going up two scores, Ward threw his third interception of the season on the subsequent play, and Virginia Tech scored 17 consecutive factors to take a 24-17 lead into the half.
Cristobal stated coaches didn’t have to say a phrase at halftime. Gamers took possession.
But, nonetheless, it took Ward taking part in particular for the Hurricanes to eke out a win over a group that misplaced to Vanderbilt and Rutgers.
So, are the Hurricanes actually a top-10 group? Are they ok to lastly win an ACC title this 12 months? That’s debatable.
However we all know this: They’re nonetheless unbeaten.
“This group during the last 20 years misplaced a sport like this,” Cristobal stated. “This group discovered a method to win. Folks can take that nonetheless they need. I’m happy with the trouble. I’m not happy with the best way we coached and performed. However, generally, you’ve simply acquired to discover a method to discover a W. And we discovered a method to win.”
He’s proper about that.
(High picture of Miami defensive again Isaiah Horton celebrating after the game-winning landing name for Virginia Tech was overturned: Doug Murray / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
