Miami Football: Winners and Losers from Hurricanes' Loss vs. Virginia Tech

Saturday's 38-35 dramatic defeat at the hands of the Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1, 1-1 in ACC) was nothing new for the Miami Hurricanes (2-3, 0-2 in ACC). Each of their three losses in 2011 have been decided by a single possession.

Although despair was the ultimate feeling, this game was the most exhilarating of the "Golden Era," and several individuals played great games. Obviously, the majority did not, and need to be held responsible.

The following Hurricanes should either be exempt from criticism or forced to take the brunt of it.

Winner: Quarterback Jacory Harris

Jacory Harris was actually great in Week 6!

Plagued by inaccuracy in 2010, the senior quarterback is in the midst of his best campaign.

His Virginia Tech performance was his second consecutive one without throwing an interception. In addition, Harris tossed three touchdowns and finished with an exceptional 215.8 passer rating.

We have a saying on campus, "Jacory being Jacory." It refers to his usual indecisiveness in the pocket, and it held true to some extent on Saturday.

However, Harris was by and large terrific.

Loser: Head Coach Al Golden

Truthfully, I love Al Golden, but his coaching against Virginia Tech cost the Hurricanes a win.

His greatest error was a fake field goal call in the first quarter.

Prior to the play, Miami was set up in the red zone with junior placekicker Jake Wieclaw at the ready. Wieclaw had been perfect on his four attempts in 2011. The game was scoreless.

Tragically, instead of allowing his team to take an early lead, Golden opted to have the holder take the snap and run for a first down. The Hokies sniffed out the scheme and stopped the play for a loss.

This mistake was turned into a 10-point swing, as Virginia Tech scored their first touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Winner: Wide Receiver Allen Hurns

Miami's chances were looking bleak as they faced a third-and-18 late in the second quarter, trailing 14-0. Then, Hurns intervened.

He and Jacory Harris hooked up for a 41-yard gain along the sideline and a 15-yard touchdown immediately after.

It was the best drive of Hurn's brief career. It established him as one of Miami's top options in the passing game going forward.

Losers: Defensive Front Four

Just as in their loss to Kansas State in Week 4, the Hurricanes struggled on defense.

Daniel Wilson didn't break free for any astonishing runs, but persistently pounded Miami for 5.6 yards per carry.

Embarrassingly, the game-winner—or I suppose game-loser from Miami's perspective—came on a quarterback sneak from Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas with less than one minute remaining. His linemen effortlessly opened up a gaping hole in the middle of the field. Thomas was untouched during the 19-yard touchdown.

The Hokies' passer did most of his damage from inside the pocket. His stats from Saturday afternoon: 23-for-25, 310 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 235.8 QB Rating. Those are like video game numbers!

The Hurricanes' front four got zero pressure on Thomas. He seemingly had all day to scan the field for open receivers.

To be fair, starting defensive tackle Marcus Forston suffered a knee injury in practice, knocking him out for this game and the rest of the season.

Miami was man-handled without Forston in Week 1, too. Adewale Ojomo—his replacement—is considerably undersized, and it showed against Virginia Tech.

Winner: Running Back Lamar Miller

Feature back Lamar Miller is the only 'Cane that can be counted on each and every week.

Miller couldn't get much going before halftime. Of course, he found his rhythm after the break and finished with nearly 200 total yards!

He eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the fifth straight Saturday (last Hurricane to accomplish that was Willis McGahee in 2002).

Miller is certain to receive All-American honors after the season. Moreover, a Miami victory in Week 6 would have vaulted him into Heisman talks.

I pray that he doesn't go pro next spring. He is all that's good about Miami football.

Loser: Safety Ray-Ray Armstrong

Ray-Ray made his 2011 debut after serving a four-week suspension for his involvement with former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro. He evidently has some rust to chip off.

His low-lights included a 15-yard defensive pass interference penalty and lazy coverage on a 60-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Armstrong has incredible size for a defensive back. He proved he was more than just muscle in 2010 during a dominant sophomore season.

However, he played sparingly against Virginia Tech, and looked more like a liability than an asset.

Biggest Losers of All: Hurricane Fans

I wrote last month about the pressure that was on Miami to play well this year.

With the ongoing NCAA investigation, there is so much uncertainty about 2012 and beyond.

Even in a miraculous scenario where the university isn't punished, our program still loses out. Top high school recruits don't have the same reverence for The U, and several of our future commits have backed out of verbal agreements because of the speculation alone.

Last season was brutal because we underachieved for our talent. So far 2011 has been much of the same.