With two seconds left in the game, true freshman Andres Borregales missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt that bounced off the left upright, helping the Virginia Cavaliers escape with a 30-28 upset win over the Miami Hurricanes in an ACC game in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Thursday night.
Quarterback Brennan Armstrong led Virginia (3-2, 1-2) by passing for 268 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
The Cavaliers’ most sensational play was a 36-yard TD catch by Dontayvion Wicks. The play looked like it would be an interception by Marcus Clarke, but the ball went through his hands and bounced off the back of Wicks, who was on the ground. Wicks then turned around and snagged the ball with his right hand.
Virginia, a four-point underdog, won in Miami for the first time since 2011.
The Hurricanes (2-3, 0-1) dropped three would-be interceptions, including two in the end zone.
Miami played its second straight game without quarterback D’Eriq King, who has an injured throwing shoulder.
Second-year freshman Tyler Van Dyke started his second collegiate game and completed 15-of-29 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for a score.
Cam’Ron Harris rushed for two TDs and 111 yards for Miami.
The Cavaliers led 9-0 after the first quarter.
Virginia opened the scoring on Wayne Taulapapa’s 1-yard run, capping an 11-play, 80-yard drive. Three plays prior to that, Miami safety Kamren Kinchens got both hands on the ball but failed to secure an interception.
The Cavaliers added a safety when Mandy Alonso stuffed a Harris running play in the end zone.
Miami closed its deficit to 9-7 with 2:30 left in the second quarter as Harris jumped over the pile for a 1-yard score. That TD was set up by Van Dyke’s 36-yard deep shot to Charleston Rambo.
Virginia came right back with an 80-yard drive that culminated in Mike Hollins’ 25-yard run, giving the Cavs a 16-7 lead with 50 seconds left in the first half.
The third quarter started with a 43-yard field goal by Virginia’s Brendan Farrell.
Miami middle linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. dropped into coverage and intercepted Armstrong on Virginia’s next drive. That led to a 16-yard TD throw by Van Dyke, who lofted his throw toward the left corner of the end zone to Mike Harley on third-and-8.
However, the Wicks TD and a two-point run by Taulapapa gave Virginia a 27-14 lead.
Harris closed the third-quarter scoring with a 57-yard run.
After Keytaon Thompson — playing with a cast on his left hand — dropped a pass in the end zone, Virginia settled for Farrell’s 30-yard field goal and a 30-21 lead with 12:52 left in the fourth.
On Miami’s next possession, Van Dyke scored on a 24-yard scramble.
Van Dyke then led a 15-play, 75-yard drive to set up a would-be winning field goal, but Borregales missed.
–Field Level Media