Another week, another loss, and more backlash from the fan base. This time their ire is directed mostly at offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen.

In Saturday’s 25-24 loss to No. 9 Miami, everything appeared to be going well for the Hokies … to a point. That point was the 6:14 mark of the third quarter. Brian Johnson kicked a 38-yard field goal to make it 24-13 Hokies, and Tech was in the driver’s seat.

But over the remaining 21:14 of the game, Miami scored two touchdowns, while the Hokies’ remaining five possessions netted just 57 yards, five first downs (two by Miami penalties), zero points, and a turnover. In Virginia Tech’s last four possessions, the Hokies didn’t cross midfield and never mounted a scoring threat.

The Virginia Tech offense fizzled down the stretch, negating the defense’s best effort of the season. Miami’s up-tempo offense ran more plays than any other Virginia Tech opponent this season (86), but the ‘Canes averaged a season-low (for a Tech opponent) 4.5 yards per play. Their 386 yards tied for the second fewest given up by Virginia Tech all season (Wake Forest had 316), and their 25 points were 6.5 points below the season average for Virginia Tech’s opponents in the first seven games.

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