Virginia Tech thought they had pulled off a stunning upset against Miami on Friday night with a last-second Hail Mary. For a brief moment, so did the fans and players who watched the dramatic play unfold. Virginia Tech’s Da’Quan Felton appeared to make an incredible catch in the back of the end zone, which, if confirmed, would have secured a victory for the Hokies.
The officials initially ruled it a touchdown, setting off celebrations on the Virginia Tech sideline.
However, after further review, the officials overturned the call, ruling the pass incomplete. As a result, Miami narrowly escaped with a 38-34 victory, leaving Virginia Tech players, coaches, and fans stunned.
Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry expressed his frustration with the decision after the game, questioning the reversal. “The way the game ended, I hope they got that call right,” Pry told reporters. “To overturn it and take it away from our kids, our coaches, our fans, I hope they got it right.” His words captured the disbelief and disappointment felt by many who thought the Hokies had earned the win.
On the other side, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal had a much different reaction. “I saw an incomplete pass,” Cristobal said. “That’s all I can say.” For him, the overturned call was simply a fair interpretation of the rules, and Miami remained undefeated at 5-0.
Almost immediately after the final whistle, fans took to social media to voice their outrage over the controversial finish. Some began speculating about potential foul play, accusing the ACC of favoring Miami. One fan tweeted, “ACC commissioner in the replay center pointing out that Miami is 4-0 and Virginia Tech has two losses already.” Another fan added, “Miami’s win over Virginia Tech is one of the most fraudulent wins I have ever witnessed. Big CFB media couldn’t let the Canes’ hype die. They want the U back.”
The accusations of a “rigged” game only grew louder, with another disgruntled fan tweeting, “I watched the most rigged football game I have ever witnessed in my life last night. Virginia Tech didn’t deserve that, and Miami ain’t who they claim to be.”
In response to the growing outcry, the ACC quickly released a statement to clarify the officials’ decision. “During the review process of the last play of the Virginia Tech at Miami game, it was determined that the loose ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds, which makes it an incomplete pass and immediately ends the play,” the statement read. Despite this explanation, many fans remained unconvinced, believing that the outcome had been influenced by more than just the rules.
The win allowed Miami to continue their unbeaten streak, improving to 5-0 on the season, while Virginia Tech fell to 2-3. Although the game is now in the books, the controversial finish has left a bitter taste for Hokies fans and has sparked intense debate across the college football world.
In the coming days, this controversial ending is sure to remain a hot topic, fueling conversations about the integrity of officiating and the role of replay in college football.
Whether the ACC’s explanation will be enough to quiet the accusations remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Friday night’s game will be remembered for its contentious conclusion.
