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Friday, December 13, 2002
Miami-Virginia Tech: 1995-99
By Will Weiss
BCSfootball.com
In seven meetings prior to 1995, Miami had thoroughly dominated the series with Virginia Tech. That year, however, Frank Beamer's Hokies reversed the trend, defeating the Hurricanes 13-7 at Lane Stadium, starting a string of five consecutive victories. With both teams ranked in the Top 5 of all the major polls, this Saturday's contest is perhaps the most significant in the series.
Here's a look at the last five years of Virginia Tech-Miami:
|  | | Corey Moore haunted Miami throughout his career at Virginia Tech. |
November 13, 1999
No. 2 Virginia Tech 43, No. 19 Miami 10
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field
Tech entered the game riding an eight-game winning streak, ranked second in the country. After losing to Florida State earlier in the season, Miami had put together three straight victories. The 'Canes had the early momentum, jumping out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter, capped by Kenny Kelly's 7-yard strike to Andre King.
But then Miami showed signs of cracking. Tailback Clinton Portis fumbled, setting up Va. Tech at the 12. Shyrone Stith's 1-yard TD run closed the gap to 10-7 to close the first quarter.
Tech's defense continued to pressure the ball, as corner Anthony Midget intercepted an errant Kenny Kelly pass and returned it to the Miami 42. Two plays later, Shyrone Stith bolted 41 yards to give Va. Tech the lead. They would not look back.
Up 20-10 in the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech put the game away with Ricky Hall's 64-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Hokies sandwiched a Shayne Graham field goal between two defensive scores end the Miami nightmare at 43-10.
Virginia Tech converted six Miami turnovers into 24 points to key the victory. Hokie quarterback Michael Vick was fairly silent, gaining only 46 yards on the ground and going 11-of-23 for 151 yards through the air.
The 33-point differential was the widest margin of victory for either team.
September 19, 1998
No. 21 Virginia Tech 27, Miami 20 (OT)
Orange Bowl
It was the Big East opener for both teams, in front of a raucous Orange Bowl crowd. Virginia Tech and Miami had mediocre seasons in '97 and wanted to return to the national spotlight.
Neither team played spectacular football. The two teams combined for 20 penalties, 13 punts, and converted only seven of 29 third-down plays. Despite the sloppiness, the game did not lack for excitement. Miami and Virginia Tech traded the lead five times, until Ricky Hall's 24-yard leaping grab in the end zone gave the Hokies a dramatic overtime win in Miami. Turnovers plagued the Hurricanes, as they coughed up the football on five consecutive possessions spanning the second and third quarters.
Shayne Graham's 19-yard field goal midway through the fourth tied the game at 20. The junior kicker had an opportunity to win the game with eight seconds left in regulation, but his 35-yard attempt missed wide right.
November 8, 1997
No. 20 Virginia Tech 27, Miami 25
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field
A standing-room only crowd of 53,177 saw the No. 20 Hokies survive a fourth-quarter rally to hold off Miami 27-25. With the win, Virginia Tech became the first team to beat Miami for three consecutive years since Notre Dame (1978-80).
Miami led 13-3 after one, and then Virginia Tech shut the 'Canes out in the middle of the game, rattling off 21 unanswered points. But when James Jackson torched Va. Tech with a 78-yard touchdown run with 11 minutes to play, the drama began to build.
Shayne Graham's 22-yard field goal gave the Hokies an eight-point advantage with 3:48 left, but the play that set up the eventual game-winning FG was Al Clark's clutch 47-yard connection to Marcus Gildersleeve on third-and-12 to keep the drive going.
On the ensuing Miami drive, though, Jackson would strike again, scoring from 12 yards out, and the 'Canes had a chance to tie going for two. But Pierson Prioleau intercepted Scott Clement's pass attempt in the end zone to secure another win for the Hokies.
The running backs in this game, Miami's James Jackson and Va. Tech's Ken Oxendine, had stellar days, as Jackson rushed for 142 yards and Oxendine chalked up 147 for Tech.
Thirteen Miami penalties set them back as well.
November 16, 1996
No. 21 Virginia Tech 21, No. 18 Miami 7
Orange Bowl
Late defensive heroics catapulted Virginia Tech to a 21-7 victory at the Orange Bowl. It was the first time Miami had lost a Big East conference game at home, and was also the third consecutive home loss for the Hurricanes -- the first time that had happened since 1977.
Up 14-7 inside 2:00 minutes remaining, Miami had a chance to tie the game, but Va. Tech reserve safety Keion Carpenter intercepted Scott Covington's pass on fourth-and 4 and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown for the final score of the game.
"I saw him make the interception," head coach Frank Beamer said. "I wanted him to get down and run out the clock, but he kept running."
Miami responded with a quick drive to the Hokies' 4-yard line, but Torrian Gray gave Va. Tech a great picture, intercepting Scott Covington in the end zone to ensure the victory.
September 23, 1995
Virginia Tech, No. 17 Miami 7
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field
With a punishing ground attack, Virginia Tech controlled the line of scrimmage, gaining 300 yards en route to a 13-7 victory, Tech's first win of the '95 season, and first ever win over Miami.
The Hurricanes threatened in the final two minutes, but Loren Johnson broke up Ryan Clement's fourth-down pass attempt intended for Yatil Green to seal the win.
Virginia Tech's defense was strong, holding the 'Canes to just 51 yards rushing and totaling six sacks on the day. Ten penalties also doomed Miami.
The Hokies survived this game despite four missed field goals from Atle Larsen.
Hokies' tailback Dwayne Thomas led all rushers with 165 yards on 24 carries.
Will Weiss is the assistant editor of BCSfootball.com
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