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Watch: Miami survives upset bid from VT, wild final play
Miami Hurricanes players celebrate after the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Watch: Miami survives upset bid from Virginia Tech, controversial final play

The Miami Hurricanes were on upset watch for most of their Friday night game against ACC foe Virginia Tech.

The game came down to the final play of regulation when the Hokies thought they came away with a Hail Mary catch in the back of the end zone, but after a lengthy and controversial review, it was determined to be an incomplete pass.

After leading 14-7 early in the first quarter, the No. 7 ranked Hurricanes fell behind 24-14 just before halftime as the Hokies scored 17 points unanswered.

The second half became a shootout between Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Virginia Tech passer Kyron Drones, who tallied 343 and 189 yards through the air respectively and combined for six touchdowns on the night.

Ward led his team down the field late in the fourth quarter, down three points, to score what would be the game-winning touchdown and take a 38-34 lead.

The impressive drive included a wizard-like escape from a sure sack, improvising a pitch to tight end Riley Williams for a 26-yard gain to the end zone's doorstep.

Drones had his opportunity to one-up Ward, who happens to be his cousin, with a last-minute drive that almost resulted in an epic walk-off win.

The Hokies didn't need to be in the tough position, however. They could have possessed a 30-17 lead in the third quarter, which would've made Miami's comeback harder and potentially changed the way the late stages of the game played out.

But instead of taking three points at the Miami 10-yard line after an interception, Virginia Tech attempted and failed a fake field goal.

Ultimately, Ward walked away with the win and bragging rights over his cousin Drones, who was quick to banter before the season about this matchup on the schedule.

"Cam's going to see when we play," Drones told ESPN. "[I'll] just show him who the real No. 1 is."

Well, it looks like Ward is still No. 1 and as he continues to lead the No. 7 Hurricanes, he could solidify that title with a Heisman Trophy as he's so dominantly made his case for this year.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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