Miami ends 3-game losing skid with another big Van Dyke performance, win at Virginia Tech
The Miami Hurricanes found their mojo Saturday on homecoming day — Virginia Tech homecoming, that is.
They also found a go-to receiver — 6-5, 215-pound junior-college transfer Colbie Young — among a corps that has been aching for one, and added strong special teams and until the fourth quarter a smothering defense that held the Hokies to 257 yards (78 rushing).
Call it the road to recovery, as Miami, behind another stellar day by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, snapped a three-game losing streak to defeat Virginia Tech 20-14 at Lane Stadium, despite the Hokies scoring two touchdowns in the final quarter and rejuvenating the capacity crowd.
UM took over with 3:20 left at its own 25-yard line. On third-and-8 from the 27, Van Dyke completed a 15-yard pass to Frank Ladson for the first down. Van Dyke then rushed for 9 yards on third down with 46 seconds left to seal the victory.
“We got the first down,’’ Van Dyke said, crediting offensive coordinator Josh Gattis with the play. “That’s all that matters. The end squeezed pretty hard and I was like ‘Alright, we got the first down. End this game.’ Made it happen.’’
The Canes have reached the halfway point of the regular season with a 3-3 overall record and 1-1 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Hokies, also a Coastal member, fell to 2-5 and 1-3 after their fourth straight loss and third loss in a row to Miami.
Miami led 20-0 after three quarters and Virginia Tech didn’t score until 12:10 of the final quarter and then again with 3:20 left. Van Dyke finished 29 of 46 for 351 yards and two touchdowns.
“Obviously, the game got a little tight there at the end,’’ UM coach Mario Cristobal said. “Started very strong. We came out with purpose, came out with conviction and really executed at a high level. And as some of the guys started getting banged up, we started having issues with execution — particularly penalties. We walked away with a ton of penalties today...
“Tremendous credit to the players for fighting hard and doing what they did to find a way to win a football game on the road in conference.’’
UM was flagged 17 times for 159 yards.
For the second time this season (after Texas A&M), the Hurricanes conquered a road stadium known for intense crowds that don’t let down and hate the Hurricanes. But this time Miami prevailed, thanks in part to UM’s quick start to help quiet the 65,632 fans.
Young shines
Young, who came to UM this summer from Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania, caught a career-high nine passes for a career-best 110 yards and a one-handed touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Brashard Smith added 76 yards on six catches, and Ladson added five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown.
“What a day,’’ Van Dyke said of Young. “He made some unbelievable catches. A bunch of guys also stepped up for us.’’
UM is still solidly in the ACC race. North Carolina, which beat Miami last weekend, led the Coastal Division and was 5-1 and 2-0 before its 8 p.m. Saturday game against Duke.
The Canes knew they had to step on the gas early and mounted their first lead in five weeks (four games) with the 5-yard touchdown to Ladson on their first drive. They obtained the ball when UM cornerback DJ Ivey forced a fumble that was recovered by Avantae Williams. The drive included a 30-yard pass to Smith and 37-yard pass to Young, who grabbed the ball with his right hand and pulled it into his chest.
“I was just locked in the moment,’’ said Young, who also called it “cool.’’
Stout defense
The Hurricanes’ defense was locked in as well. The Canes held the Hokies to 118 yards and eight first downs the first three quarters. UM had six sacks, 3 1/2 of them by defensive end Akheem Mesidor, with one by linebacker Corey Flag (two tackles for loss) and Mitchell Agude, Leonard Taylor and Nyjalik Kelly chipping in on sacks.
The Hokies finally scored at 12:10 of the final quarter on a 14-yard pass from Grant Wells to Malachi Thomas, then on a 3-yard rush by Wells with 3:20 left. Virginia Tech should have had another touchdown in the third quarter on a deep ball that was dropped by Da’Wain Lofton — one of several dropped passes by the Hokies.
“In practice we harp on just affecting the quarterback heavy,’’ Mesidor said. “But it all came down to preparation and practice. We prepared properly, I prepared properly and as a whole defense we just dominated.”
Mesidor, like Cristobal, said the week of practice leading to Virginia Tech was the Canes’ best yet. “It really showed. Everything we worked on this week showed up today. All that we did good today, what if we stepped up our preparation, stepped up our practice tempo and everything else? What can we get next week?
“So, we just want to keep working and getting better.’’
Mesidor was asked what it was like to finally get a win after the three losses.
“Yeah, it’s been a long past three [games], but it’s hard to win. When you do win, it’s important to celebrate with your team. We have a 24-hour period. We’re getting back at it tomorrow.’’
Miami’s next opponent Oct. 22 is Duke at Hard Rock for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff (Bally Sports Florida).
This story was originally published October 15, 2022 at 3:55 PM.
