Miami holds on after officials overturn Virginia Tech's Hail Mary touchdown.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami and Virginia Tech experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during a thrilling game on Friday night, culminating in a dramatic final play that led to anger and heartbreak for one team while sending the other into wild celebration. Ultimately, only one team could claim victory.

As Miami’s Isaiah Horton emerged from a chaotic pile of players in the back of the end zone, officials determined that Virginia Tech’s Da'Quan Felton had made the catch before losing possession.

Touchdown, Virginia Tech.

The Hokies erupted in celebration, raising their helmets high, convinced they had clinched the game with a 30-yard Hail Mary from Kyron Drones. Confusion filled the field as both teams processed the moment—Virginia Tech celebrating a supposed victory while Miami players expressed disbelief over the ruling.

Head referee Jerry Magallanes ordered the teams to their sidelines as a replay review commenced. Virginia Tech was optimistic the on-field call would stand, while Miami believed the review officials would declare the pass incomplete. A tense six minutes passed, which Miami coach Mario Cristobal described as "liability issues that come with that, with the cardiac condition of everybody on the sideline."

Eventually, Magallanes announced that the touchdown call had been overturned, granting Miami a 38-34 victory.

In a statement two hours after the game, the ACC explained that during the review, it was determined a Miami player touched the loose ball while out of bounds, rendering it an incomplete pass and ending the play.

Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry expressed his frustration, stating, “To take that, to overturn it and take it from our kids, our coaches, our fans, I hope they got it right.” He recounted approaching the officials for clarification, initially hearing the call was a touchdown. “Normally, when you look at something that long, it does not get overturned. I didn't think there was enough evidence to overturn it. So, like I said, I hope they got it right.”

The game itself was a thrilling four-hour spectacle filled with excitement, including standout plays from Cam Ward, a botched fake field goal, and a remarkable fourth-down catch by Xavier Restrepo, all while Bhayshul Tuten dominated the Miami defense and Drones fought hard to keep his team in contention.

Miami rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, the largest they faced this season, to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2017. In contrast, Virginia Tech suffered its third one-score loss this season. After such a chaotic finish, both coaches reflected on the bewildering conclusion.

“I saw an incomplete pass. That's all I can say,” Cristobal stated. When asked about the emotional wait for the replay decision, he remarked, “It’s wild. [In] college football, you’re never all the way clear and easy to win a game; you’re never all the way out of it.”

As Miami players cycled through a range of emotions while waiting for the final call, Virginia Tech was left grappling with disappointment. The Hokies held a 34-31 lead with 8:40 left, but a swift three-and-out handed Miami the ball back.

Despite committing three turnovers in the game—two interceptions and a fumble—Ward led the decisive drive. On fourth-and-3 from the Virginia Tech 50, he connected with Restrepo, who fell but still made the catch. He then completed another crucial pass to Horton before executing a remarkable play.

On first-and-10 from the Virginia Tech 27, Ward evaded a sack from defensive end Keyshawn Burgos and then slipped away from Kaleb Spencer, quickly flipping the ball to Riley Williams, who advanced to the 2-yard line. Ward reminded Williams not to block but to be ready for an outlet pass.

A play later, Ward threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Horton, giving Miami the lead with 1:57 remaining. Drones responded, quickly moving Virginia Tech down the field. With 8 seconds left, he scrambled to the Miami 30-yard line, setting up one final play. Virginia Tech sent Felton, Jaylin Lane, and Stephen Gosnell to the end zone, while Miami countered with Horton, Mishael Powell, Jadais Richard, and D'Yoni Hill. As they all leaped for the ball, Felton emerged with it, but replay showed that he, Lane, and Horton appeared to be out of bounds, with the ball seemingly moving. Miami players involved in the play immediately believed it would be ruled an incomplete pass. “I thought it was going to be overturned just because everybody was out of bounds,” Ward said.

However, since the call on the field was a touchdown, Virginia Tech believed it was enough to secure the win. “I don’t know how that call gets overturned,” Drones said. “Probably because we played here.”

Pry struggled to find the right words for his team in the locker room afterward. “They’re hurting. That’s why I said I hope they got it right,” he said. “I can tell them I’m proud, and I did, but that ain’t helping them right now.”