Virginia (2-2, 0-2 ACC) faces Miami (2-2, 0-0 ACC) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Everything you need to know about the game is right here.
Broadcast Info
The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will air live on ESPN. In addition to the ESPN broadcast, fans can stream the game live on ESPN.com or the ESPN app. The contest can be heard on Virginia Sports Radio Networks around the commonwealth and live on VirginiaSports.com. A list of stations can be found here. Fans can follow along via live stats and the Virginia Mobile app and get in-game updates on the team’s official twitter account, @UVAFootball.
Betting Line
- Vegas: Miami -5.5
- ESPN FPI: Miami 71.2 percent win probability
Pregame Coverage
What UVA Football fans need to know about Miami
The reason Manny Diaz is back to being defensive coordinator at Miami: in the ‘Canes three games against FBS teams, they’ve given up 35 points and 427 yards a game.
Does Anae not trust his RBs, or is it his O line?
You can’t say Virginia, second in the ACC in total offense, isn’t moving the ball up and down the field. Does it matter that the Cavaliers can’t run the ball?
The weak link in the 3-3-5: The linebackers?
The issue with the UVA defense the past two weeks seems, to the naked eye, to maybe be the secondary. It might be the linebackers.
Keytaon Thompson playing with broken hand
You might have noticed that Keytaon Thompson didn’t get used nearly as much in last week’s loss to Wake Forest.
Deep dive: What happened to the UVA running game we were sold?
Remember Bronco Mendenhall and Robert Anae talking in the spring and in fall camp about the ground game that they were going to unleash?
Inside the Numbers: How badly is the UVA D getting beaten up?
The Virginia defense averaged more than 20 QB pressures per game in 2019 and 2020. It’s getting nowhere near that amount of pressure on QBs through four games in 2021.
Forecast
It seems simple, to hear UVA defensive coordinator Nick Howell tell it. Guys have just been out of position in the run game the past two weeks. If the linebackers keep their gap responsibilities, the thing gets turned around. I’m betting it gets turned around. It’s a different game with D’Eriq King at QB1 for Miami with his ability to push the perimeter. I like Virginia to play enough D, and get plenty of offense with Brennan Armstrong going 400+ again against a weak Miami secondary. Prediction: Virginia 37, Miami 28.
Live Coverage
Sack ends the opening drive for UVA
Virginia picked up a first down in plus territory. Brennan Armstrong missed a wide-open Keytaon Thompson on second down, then held the ball too long on third down and was sacked.
Need to read that blitz better. The line blocked it well.
Three-and-out for Miami on its first series
Miami was incomplete on first down, got a five-yard run on second down. Virginia showed blitz, dropped out, batted down the pass at the line on third down.
A punt. On the first series.
Look at all that running
Four runs, 42 yards, on that nine-play, 65-yard drive. Wayne Taulapapa 1-yard TD run on third-and-goal. UVA with the early lead, 7-0.
Second three-and-out
The UVA D looks good early. Another Miami punt.
KT contributing early
Thompson only had three targets and two catches in the loss to Wake last week with his broken hand. Tonight, he already has five targets and three catches.
Different look for the UVA offense through three drives
A lot more short passes – three targets for Mike Hollins out of the backfield, one in the 0-9 range for Jacob Rodriguez, three for Billy Kemp IV.
Safety!
The punt team downs the ball at the 1. Mandy Alonso gets penetration, and Joey Blount finishes with the tackle in the end zone for the safety. UVA leads 9-0, 1:10/1st.
Good response
Miami took advantage of a couple of penalties to get the ball to the UVA 40. The D stiffened, got sacks on second and third down, and forced another punt.
Miami has 38 yards on five drives.
Missing Jelani
Really notice the difference not having Jelani Woods out there. Armstrong is 15-of-23 for 113 yards. A lot of short stuff.
Miami on the board
Cam’Ron Harris scores from a yard out. The big play was a 36-yard pass to Charleston Rambo. It’s 9-7 UVA, 2:30/2nd.
Nice drive
Mike Hollins 25-yard TD run. Drive: eight plays, 80 yards. Big answer. UVA 16-7, 0:50/2nd.
Halftime: UVA 16, Miami 7
Total offense: UVA 246 Miami 91
Armstrong: 20-of-30, 168 yards
Rushing yards: UVA 77 Miami 28
Three-and-out, field goal
The D forces another three-and-out. The offense drives to the Miami 26, and Brendan Farrell is good from 43. UVA 19-7, 11:54/3rd.
Key play: 34-yard run by Keytaon Thompson. KT has 84 total yards.
Ugh
Armstrong somehow misses the middle linebacker, throws it right to him. Sets up Miami in the red zone.
Turnover turns into TD
Tyler Van Dyke hits Mike Harley for a 16-yard TD on third down. Coen King in coverage. UVA 19-14, 9:42/3rd.
Clear as day
Dontayvion Wicks with the catch of the night, weekend, year? 36-yard UVA TD. ‘Hoos up 27-14, 5:50/3rd.
Finally, somebody missed a gap
Cam’Ron Harris goes 57 yards up the A gap. Looking at the replay, for some reason, four defenders lined up to the left to defend trips, and there was no safety in the middle of the field. UVA 27-21, 1:04/3rd.
End 3
UVA has outgained Miami 414-207, and leads 27-21.
Not seven, but three
KT dropped a sure TD on a first down in the red zone. Armstrong overshot Ra’Shaun Henry on third down. Brendan Farrell snaked the 30-yard field goal through. UVA leads 30-21, 12:52 to go.
I’m sure the defensive staff was discussing …
What to do when Miami goes tempo.
Somehow …
Tyler Van Dyke scrambles 24 yards for a TD. Miami had a first-and-25 earlier in the drive. The UVA D, solid for two and a half quarters, is breaking down, assignment-wise. UVA 30-28, 9:09/4th,
He missed
I knew he would all along.
Story by Chris Graham
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