Virginia Drops Overtime Heartbreaker at Miami 29-26
One day shy of one year ago, Virginia and Miami played the longest game in the history of either program. Four overtimes were needed to determine the victor of one of the more poorly-played games of the year, with neither team scoring a single touchdown. The Hurricanes ultimately emerged from Scott Stadium with a 14-12 win.
Almost exactly one year later, overtime was again needed to decide a winner between these two teams. And while it was an infinitely better-played football game than last season, the outcome was the same. For the second year in a row, Miami (6-2, 2-2 ACC) handed Virginia (2-6, 1-3 ACC) a heartbreaking overtime loss, 29-26, on Saturday evening at Hard Rock Stadium.
For the second-straight week, Virginia got off to something of a dream start. Miami got the ball to start the game and UVA's defense came up with a stop to force a punt. Once again, Des Kitchings crafted an excellent opening offensive possession and the Cavaliers went on a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. That drive included a couple of catches from the always-reliable Malik Washington, a roughing the passer penalty on Miami, and a big play from Malachi Fields, who broke multiple tackles to convert on 3rd and 13 to keep the drive alive. Virginia's ground game did the rest, as Tony Muskett ran for eight yards and then Mike Hollins, who scored three rushing touchdowns last week at North Carolina, got the carry on three-consecutive plays, scoring on the third to give the Cavaliers an early 7-0 lead.
Miami looked to answer with a touchdown and the Hurricanes drove into UVA territory behind a strong running game, but then an underthrown pass by Tyler Van Dyke was intercepted by Sam Westfall.
Both offenses struggled after that, with the teams combining to punt on each of the next four possessions. Tony Muskett and Malik Washington linked up for yet another incredible play, with Muskett firing a dime on the run that Washington caught and then made made a man miss, streaking 64 yards down the right sideline all the way to the Miami 11-yard line. The Cavaliers couldn't capitalize on the big play, though, as Miami's defense made a stand and forced Virginia to settle for a 22-yard field goal from Will Bettridge to make it 10-0.
On Miami's ensuing drive, the Hurricanes drove into UVA territory and Kam Robinson made a nice tackle on third down to bring up fourth and short. Miami opted for the field goal and got on the board as Andres Borregales converted from 47 yards out to make it 10-3.
Virginia got the ball back with four minutes left, but the Cavaliers didn't play with any sense of urgency and ultimately the half ended after Muskett was sacked on back-to-back plays. UVA still took a 10-3 lead to halftime, but it did feel like something of a missed opportunity that the Cavaliers didn't add to their lead at the end of the half. Nonetheless, it was a very impressive half of football for the UVA defense, which held Miami to 99 total yards and just three points through the first 30 minutes of play.
Just as it was a dream start for Virginia to start the game, so too it was a perfect beginning to the second half for Miami. UVA went three-and-out and Miami proceeded to drive down the field, with Ajay Allen delivering a highlight-reel play, hurdling over Jonas Sanker on his way to a 26-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10.
On the next play from scrimmage, Muskett threw into traffic and Kamren Kinchens intercepted the pass, taking it 29 yards to the house for a pick-six. In the blink of an eye, the Hurricanes scored touchdowns on consecutive plays from scrimmage to take their first lead of the game, 17-10.
Admirably, Virginia did not let the game unravel after that and responded with an impressive 15-play, 59-yard drive, settling for a 23-yard field goal from Bettridge to make it 17-13.
Then it was time for the UVA defense to make another big play, as Kam Robinson stepped in front of Van Dyke's third down pass for Virginia's second forced turnover of the game. The Cavaliers cashed in on the takeaway, driving 49 yards in six plays and Mike Hollins delivering an acrobatic play, diving into the end zone for his fifth touchdown in the last two games.
After the teams traded punts, Van Dyke nearly threw his third interception of the game, but Coen King couldn't quite hang onto the ball as he went to the ground. Miami ultimately tied the game on another long kick from Andres Borregales, this time from 50 yards out.
That made it a brand new game with the score knotted at 20 with 9:26 left in regulation. Tony Elliott aggressively kept his offense on the field on fourth down near midfield and Muskett rewarded his coach's faith by connecting with Malachi Fields over the middle for a first down. UVA ultimately settled for a 32-yarder from Bettridge to regain a 23-20 lead.
The Hurricanes responded with a scoring drive of their own and the UVA defense made a stand to force Borregales to convert yet another long field goal from a range of 47 yards, tying the game once again at 23-23 with 1:23 on the clock.
Virginia's final drive of regulation started promisingly with a 20-yard run by Perris Jones, but the Cavaliers couldn't capitalize on the good start, as Muskett was sacked on third down. Miami called a timeout with 35 seconds left, but then Mario Cristobal decided to be conservative and kneeled out the rest of the clock to send the game to overtime.
Last year's contest required four overtimes. That would not be the case this time around. Virginia got the ball first but was unable to pick up a first down and instead settled for Bettridge's fourth field goal of the game, a great individual performance for the South Florida native. Miami got the ball with a chance to win and didn't miss it, as Mark Fletcher rushed for nine yards, then five yards, and then maneuvered his way down the sideline and leapt into the end zone for an 11-yard walk-off touchdown.
Virginia came excruciatingly close to a victory that would have left no doubt that the Cavaliers were turning their season around. A win at Miami would have been a second-straight big-time road victory, would have extended UVA's winning streak to three games, and brought Virginia's conference record to 2-2. Instead, the Cavaliers are left with yet another painfully close loss and drop to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the ACC.
There were many admirable individual performances in this game, as is fitting for a team that nearly earned a significant win. With the exception of the pick-six, Tony Muskett was sharp, completing 24 of 38 passes for 239 yards, his fourth-straight game with 200 passing yards. Nearly all of that passing production went to Malik Washington and Malachi Fields. Washington continued his Biletnikoff campaign with a brilliant performance, catching 12 passes for 152 yards, while Fields made a few clutch catches and finished with seven receptions for 67 yards. On the ground, Mike Hollins proved to be an asset in the red zone with two more touchdowns and Perris Jones had a decent game as well, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. On the defensive end, Kam Robinson and Jonas Sanker led the way with nine tackles each. Robinson added his first-career interception and Sanker had two pass breakups.
Up next, Virginia will host Georgia Tech next Saturday at 2pm at Scott Stadium.
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