I would hate to be an ACC referee right now.
In a wacky, wild ending, No. 7 Miami Hurricanes escaped a weekday scare, defeating Virginia Tech 38-34. Despite the normal looking score, how we got there was anything but.
Virginia Tech was up 34-24 at one point, but on the back of transfer QB Cameron Ward, Miami stormed back to take the lead at the end. Ward had a Heisman moment, almost getting sacked but completing a chest pass to move the chains.
After Miami scored to take the lead, Virginia Tech moves the ball into Hail Mary territory. Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones gets the ball into the endzone, and it looks like the Hokies might’ve come down with it to win the game on a Hail Mary. Miami players are running onto the field, lights are flashing celebrating the win.
HOWEVER, the referees ruled that the Virginia Tech receiver comes down with it and they call a TD for the Hokies. Wild scenes, the fans go from elation to depression in mere seconds.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! After ruling it a touchdown, they go to a five minute review of the play. After the review, they call the pass incomplete. Miami wins, let’s all go home.
Being completely honest, I have zero strong thoughts on whether this should’ve been ruled a TD or not. The way they ruled it on the field was weird and it even took a lot of time then. However, if they ruled it a touchdown, I wasn’t sure they’d come up with enough indisputable evidence to overturn it. If they ruled it incomplete, I wasn’t sure they’d have enough indisputable evidence to rule it a TD. Just a weird and wacky play overall, which is why we love college football.
Either way, I don’t envy those referees tonight. Or ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips.
