Miami Hurricanes Hang On Against Virginia Tech Hokies
In a performance that had Miami fans cheering and scoreboard operators working overtime, the No. 13 Miami Hurricanes marched into Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium and walked out with a decisive 34-17 victory. Quarterback Carson Beck was the star of the show, reminding everyone why the Hurricanes are a force to be reckoned with.
Miami’s Offense: A Well-Oiled Machine
From the opening kickoff, Miami’s offense was firing on all cylinders. It was less of a football game and more of a clinic on offensive precision. Beck, playing with the poise of a seasoned veteran, carved up the Hokies’ defense like a Thanksgiving turkey. He finished the day with a staggering 320 yards and 4 touchdown passes, completing 27 of 32 attempts. You read that right. The man was practically automatic.
The scoring started early, with Beck hitting a wide-open Elija Lofton for a 20-yard touchdown on the first drive. It was a sign of things to come. The Hurricanes added another touchdown on their next possession, with Mark Fletcher Jr. grabbing a 3-yard pass to make it 14-3. Fletcher’s return from injury was a welcome sight, adding another weapon to Miami’s already loaded arsenal.
Toney’s Electrifying Performance
You can’t talk about this game without mentioning Malachi Toney. The freshman phenom was simply electric. He torched the Virginia Tech secondary for 146 yards on 12 catches and even completed a pass himself. Toney wasn’t just playing; he was putting on a show, culminating in a jaw-dropping 20-yard touchdown catch in the final seconds where he practically hurdled a defender. It was a “did you see that?” moment that had the whole stadium buzzing.
A Bend-Don’t-Break Defense For Miami
While the offense was putting up points, the Miami defense had its hands full with Virginia Tech’s ground game. The Hokies managed to rush for 182 yards, the most Miami has allowed all season. It was a rare chink in the armor for a unit that came into the game ranked third nationally against the run.
However, when it mattered most, the defense held its ground. They forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter, courtesy of a strip-sack by Akheem Mesidor, snuffing out any hope of a miraculous Hokies comeback. While they bent, they refused to break, holding Virginia Tech to just 17 points and making crucial stops on third and fourth downs.
The Hurricanes (9-2) have now won three straight and will look to carry this momentum into their regular-season finale against Pittsburgh. If Beck and Toney keep playing like this, Miami is going to be a very tough out for anyone.
