In their first three games, the Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0 ACC) scored early and often and as a result, never found themselves having to play from behind. Even last week, after in-state foe USF took two first-half leads, Miami responded in commanding fashion. By halftime, the Hurricanes had the lead, and they never trailed again.
Their Friday night ACC opener against Virginia Tech was different.
Very different.
The Hokies, a foe the Hurricanes know well dating back to their days in the Big East, came to Hard Rock Stadium hungry for an upset over their top-10 rival and eager to prove they’re a better team than their record indicates.
And all night long, Virginia Tech (2-3, 0-1) challenged the Hurricanes in ways the Hurricanes hadn’t yet been challenged this season.
When Ward fumbled on the game’s opening drive, Virginia Tech recovered and three plays later, capitalized, scoring when Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones – Ward’s cousin – connected with Benji Gosnell on a 25-yard scoring pass.
The Hurricanes responded with two quick scoring drives that gave them the lead, but Virginia Tech kept pushing – and finding ways to put Miami on the ropes.
The Hokies outscored the Hurricanes 17-3 in the second quarter to take a 24-17 lead into the locker room – a lead that wasn’t bigger in large part because Miami kicker Andy Borregales hit a career-long 56-yard field goal as the half ended.
The second half proved more of the same, with Virginia Tech again capitalizing on Miami mistakes and the Hurricanes struggling to find the kind of offensive rhythm they showed against Florida, FAMU, Ball State and USF.
That all led to another first for the Hurricanes this season: their first fourth-quarter deficit.
After Drones found Ayden Greene with a 16-yard scoring pass up the middle on a 3rd-and-9, Virginia Tech took a 34-24 lead with 12:05 left and Miami was in a world of trouble.
“Sometimes, you’ve got to go through it,” Cristobal said. “Some of today’s back and forth stuff, again, we caused it.”
But in the game’s final minutes, Miami found ways to make the plays it needed to make.
After Green’s touchdown, the Hurricanes marched down the field on a nine-play, 70-yard drive that featured Ward scrambling for a key first down and later, the quarterback connecting with veteran tight end Cam McCormick on a 6-yard touchdown play.
Miami’s defense – which at times struggled to contain Drones and Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten – forced a…
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