Hoax Beats Hokies

Thanks to a big-play defense and a trick play, Miami of Ohio surprised No. 14 Virginia Tech 24-17.

“That was a classic example of what happens when guys spend all week talking about too many other teams and forget the game that is at hand,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said.

Trailing 10-0 in the second quarter, Miami (4-1) blocked a punt by Virginia Tech (4-1), scored, and made it down to the Tech 31 on the next possession after Sam Ricketts ran 46 yards on an option.

The drive stalled, and Miami faced fourth-and-1 and a long field-goal attempt. But to Virginia Tech’s surprise, the holder, reserve quarterback Mike Bath, went behind the center, quickly took the snap and appeared to spin around to begin an option play and was tackled behind the line.

But he had actually handed the ball to Travis Prentice, who pretended to be a blocker and ran 32 yards, virtually untouched, for a touchdown.