Miami Football: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over Virginia Tech

Miami football and D’Eriq King outlast Virginia Tech’s Hendon Hooker as the Hurricanes come back to beat the Hokies 25-24.

The Hurricanes have made it a habit of winning close and winning ugly. That can be taken one of two ways. Either the Hurricanes show maturity by hanging in games they are not playing well, or Miami is playing down to the level of their competition.

This game showed the Hurricanes’ maturity as they found a way to win with 13 players out due to COVID-19 protocols.

One week after a thrilling three-point victory against North Carolina State, the Hurricanes found themselves once again in the throes of a close contest. Down 11 points in the third quarter, the Hurricanes scored the last 12 points of the game, taking the lead on a 36-yard touchdown pass from King to receiver Mark Pope.

Quarterback D’Eriq King never seemed to get rattled during the comeback, throwing for 255 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Dee Wiggins was King’s favorite target this afternoon with eight receptions and 106 yards. The defense did its part when it mattered, shutting out the Hokies in the fourth quarter.

This is a game you cannot hang on Hokies’ quarterback Hendon Hooker. The Tech quarterback had 261 total yards and a rushing touchdown. Miami’s rush defense held Virginia Tech, who averages 277 rushing yards per game, to 160 yards. The win was Miami’s fourth in a row and third consecutive one-possession victory.

The Hurricanes play Georgia Tech next weekend. Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s game.