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Miami beats Virginia Tech after controversial touchdown on last-second Hail Mary pass is overturned

The No. 7 Miami Hurricanes held off the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday night in what could be the most controversial ending of the college football season.

Kyron Drones’ last-second Hail Mary pass was caught for a touchdown, ostensibly giving Virginia Tech a 40-38 victory until the video replay booth overturned the call on the field. 

As a result, Miami moved to 5-0, while the 2-3 Hokies were left wondering what, exactly, just happened.

Tech receiver Da’Quan Felton appeared to come down with the football, which ultimately changed hands several times as officials tried to piece together the game’s final play. 

Initially, Hurricanes players were seen celebrating as if they had won, only for the officials to signal a touchdown, leading to an immediate booth review. 

Tech’s Da’Quan Felton appeared to come down with the football, but the booth disagreed

Miami Hurricanes defenders break up a pass intended for Da'Quan Felton

Miami Hurricanes defenders break up a pass intended for Da’Quan Felton

Virginia Tech players gesture after officials reveal that the final touchdown was negated

Virginia Tech players gesture after officials reveal that the final touchdown was negated 

Da'Quan Felton #9 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts after his touchdown was negated

Da’Quan Felton #9 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts after his touchdown was negated 

Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after defeating Virginia Tech

Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after defeating Virginia Tech

Cam Ward found Isaiah Horton with a 1-yard touchdown pass with 1:57 left for what became the winning score in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams on Friday night.

Ward threw for 343 yards and four touchdowns, extending his national lead to 18 scoring throws so far this season. The Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0) trailed by double digits on three separate occasions, the last of those when the Hokies went up 34-24 with 12:05 left.

But Miami found a way at the end – barely – to win its ACC opener for the first time in four years and remain unbeaten.

Drones threw two touchdown passes, while Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 141 yards and another score for Virginia Tech (2-3, 0-1).

John Love had field goals of 52 and 56 yards for Virginia Tech. The Hokies turned three Miami turnovers into 14 points and seemed poised to knock off a team ranked 7th or higher in the AP Top 25 for the first time since October 2, 2004 – a 19-13 win over then-No. 6 West Virginia.

But needing a touchdown on the final drive to pull the upset off, Virginia Tech got to the Miami 30 and nearly got the winning score.

Kyron Drones #1 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball against the Miami Hurricanes

Kyron Drones #1 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball against the Miami Hurricanes

Wilfried Pene of the Virginia Tech Hokies attempts, but fails, to tackle Cam Ward

Wilfried Pene of the Virginia Tech Hokies attempts, but fails, to tackle Cam Ward

On the go-ahead drive, Miami escaped disaster – twice. Xavier Restrepo fell down on a fourth-and-3 play with the ball already headed his way, and he somehow caught it while on the ground to extend the possession. And on first down a couple minutes later, Ward was getting dragged down by Virginia Tech´s Keyshawn Burgos for what looked like a certain sack.

Except it wasn’t. Ward got free of that tackle, broke another and flipped the ball to Riley Williams for what became a 26-yard gain to the 1-yard line. The Hurricanes scored a play later, and the defense finished it off.

Virginia Tech: The night could have been worse. Defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland – who entered the game as the national leader with six sacks and he pushed that total to seven on Friday – left in the second half because of injury. He walked into the locker room area for evaluation, accompanied by a member of the Hokies’ staff.

Miami: The Hurricanes snuffed out a fake field goal try in the second half, one that came from chip-shot range for Virginia Tech. Had the Hokies taken the three points there, all they would have needed on the final drive was another field goal and not a touchdown. There was another big special-teams play as well – Andy Borregales’ 56-yard field goal to end the first half loomed large by night’s end.

Miami escaped what would have been a damaging loss in the AP Top 25 when the poll gets updated on Sunday. The Hurricanes should remain in the Top 10.

Virginia Tech: Visit Stanford on October 5.

Miami: Visit Cal on October 5.

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