MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Heartbreak.
With three seconds left, the Miami Hurricanes, who were down by as many 13 points, lined up for the game-winning 33-yard field goal.
The field goal attempt clanged off the left upright as time expired, giving the Virginia Cavaliers a 30-28 win over the Hurricanes Thursday evening at Hard Rock Stadium.
“There is a lot of hurt in that locker room right now,” Miami head coach Manny Diaz said. “It was a game of missed opportunities. Our guys believe though and that was on the verge of being something remarkable with what this team has gone through.”
Miami (2-3, 0-1 ACC) trailed Virginia (3-2, 1-2 ACC), 27-14, with 2:56 remaining in the third quarter.
Second-year freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who started his first career ACC game, completed four consecutive passes, moving the Hurricanes to their own 43-yard line.
Then, junior tailback Cam’Ron Harris broke off a 57-yard touchdown run, pulling the Hurricanes with one possession.
The Cavaliers answered with a field goal in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to push their advantage up to 30-21.
Despite Miami having its backs against the wall, Van Dyke wasn’t fazed.
He orchestrated a 9-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a 24-yard quarterback keeper, bringing the Hurricanes back within two.
Miami’s defense forced a Virginia punt, setting up the potential game-winning drive.
“What I know is what I just saw in the fourth quarter when there was not a lot of evidence that we could do what we did right there and give us a chance to win the game,” Diaz said. “The guys believe in each other. There’s not a person I’d rather line up to kick that field goal than Andy Borregales. I think everyone on that sideline thought we were going to win the football game and that we had done enough to win the football game.”