Virginia Tech was faced with a big challenge on defense this past week, facing off against Miami, arguably one of the best offenses in the nation.

There were some last-second fireworks, but Virginia Tech unfortunately could not pull away. 

The defense though, showed promise in some moments, as Miami only punted twice. There’s pros and cons to that as well, Miami scored on over 54% of those drives, and out of all of the scoring drives all but one were touchdowns. 

There were also some good individual performances as well, granted some performances which are tainted by the result, but still good overall. Aeneas Peebles, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, and Caleb Woodson all had sacks. Kaleb Spencer and Mose Phillips both came up with interceptions, and both returned them quite a ways. Dorian Strong also had some significant impact, helping both Phillips and Spencer on their interceptions.

So how did Virginia Tech defensive players grade out on PFF (Pro Football Focus)? Here are the grades for each defensive player with their snap count in parentheses.

1. DT Aeneas Peebles- 82.9 (44)

2. SS Kaleb Spencer- 73.2 (27)

3. DT Kelvin Gilliam- 69.5 (33)

4. LB Caleb Woodson- 67.4 (44)

5. SS Quintin Reddish- 66.9 (32)

6. S Mose Phillips- 65.6 (55)

7. DE Jason Abbey- 65.4 (8)

8. DT Wilfried Pene- 63.8 (39)

9. CB Dante Lovett- 63.2 (26)

10. DT Josh Fuga- 60.6 (30)

11. LB Sam Brumfield- 60.2 (43)

11. Mansoor Delane- 60.2 (71)

13. RE Malachi Madison- 59.1 (2)

14. CB Dorian Strong- 58.2 (72)

15. DE Aycen Stevens- 57.0 (11)

16. S Jaylen Jones- 56.3 (42)

17. DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland- 56.2 (39)

18. DE Keyshawn Burgos- 55.7 (42)

19. DE Cole Nelson- 52.8 (46)

20. C.J. McCray- 48.8 (2)

21. S Keonta Jenkins- 46.7 (40)

22. LB Jaden Keller- 46.0 (37)

23. LB Keli Lawson- 38.2 (29)

The ACC issued a statement on the controversial call that ended the Friday night matchup between Virginia Tech and Miami.

With three seconds left on the game clock, VT QB Kyron Drones launched a 30-yard bomb to Da’Quan Felton, who hauled in the miraculous Hail Mary. However, after nearly 10 minutes of deliberation, the referees overturned the call and Miami walked away with a 38-34 triumph.

“During the review process of the last play,” the statement read, “It was determined that the loose ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds which makes it an incomplete pass and immediately ends the play.”

There were obviously mixed reactions to the ending of what became a classic between Virginia Tech and Miami.

After the game, Miami QB Cam Ward didn’t hesitate to take to social media. In the win, Cam Ward completed 24-of-his-38 pass attempts for 348 passing yards and four touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. It’s only the latest standout performance for the Heisman Trophy candidate.

Ward’s choice of emojis in his post mimics his famous touchdown celebration. After the senior QB finds the end zone, he’ll often cover his face with one hand while waving his other hand in front of him. The post is salt in the wound for Virginia Tech fans, who took issue with the game’s controversial ending.

Virginia Tech fans weren’t the only ones who didn’t agree with the referees’ decision in favor of Miami. ESPN analyst Andre Ware believed the call shouldn’t have been overturned and sympathized with the Hokies faithful.

“A lot of conversations about that because I just don’t know where you see it on the replay to reverse the call on the field,” Ware said. “And had it been called incomplete, see it that way. I just thought the ruling – whatever was called on the field should stand. That’s tough.”