Virginia Tech vs. Miami 2012: Hurricanes use a gutsy defense to beat Hokies

The Miami Hurricanes beat the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday night thanks in large part to great defensive play in key moments.

Virginia Tech vs. Miami final score: Hurricanes show up in primetime, win 30-12

Miami takes control of ACC Coastal with impressive primetime win.

Virginia Tech vs. Miami score update: Hokies, Hurricanes held scoreless in third, Miami up, 20-12

Defense stepped up in the third quarter as both the Virginia Tech Hokies and Miami Hurricanes were held without a point in the third quarter of the teams' key Thursday night battle, as the Hurricanes continue to lead, 20-12.

With the teams combining for 32 points in the first two quarters, neither team could break through in the third quarter, as both teams failed to capitalize on long drives, falling victim to fumbles, missed field goals or three-and-outs.

A Virginia Tech drive that lasted 10 plays and went 45 yards was ended suddenly when quarterback Logan Thomas fumbled at the Miami 3-yard line. Miami recovered the ball, but was unable to turn the turnover into points, having to punt the ball away after a three and out.

Another Hokies drive that lasted four plays and covered 32 yards ended when Cody Journell was unable to connect from 47 yards out, handing the ball right back to the Hurricanes.

Virginia Tech vs. Miami score update: Thomas brings Hokies first touchdown, but Miami leads, 20-12

Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas's 73-yard touchdown run near the start of the second quarter gave the Hokies their first touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the teams' Thursday night ACC showdown, but Miami continues to lead the Hokies, 20-12, at half from Sun Life Stadium.

After the Hurricanes were the beneficiaries of two short fields to score the game's first two touchdowns in the first quarter, Thomas and the Hokies covered 93 yards in six plays — most notably Thomas's run — to score their first touchdown. Thomas has now collected more than 100 yards both rushing and passing on the night.

The Hurricanes' freshman running back Duke Johnson, not to be outdone, scampered 65 yards on the Canes' next possesion, but Miami was unable to score a touchdown, instead settling for a 22-yard field goal from kicker Jake Wieclaw.

Wieclaw connected for another field goal, this one from 31 yards out, to extend the Hurricanes' lead to 20-9 before Virginia Tech responded with a field goal of their own to bring the score to 20-12 at half.

Virginia Tech vs. Miami score update: Hurricanes leading, 14-3, on two Stephen Morris touchdown passes

Stephen Morris' two touchdown strikes, to Allen Hurns and Mike James, have the Miami Hurricanes leading the Virginia Tech Hokies, 14-3, through the first quarter of the teams' key ACC Thursday night showdown.

The Hurricanes' offense capitalized on a special teams play — a blocked punt — to score the game's first points. Virginia Tech's punt after stalling offensively was blocked by Miami's Gabriel Terry, and the block was downed at the Virginia Tech 16.

Two plays later, Morris connected with Hurns for the Hurricanes' touchdown.

The Hokies scored near the end of the first quarter on a Cody Journell 22-yard field goal to cap an 11-play, 44-yard drive that covered more than six minutes.

Morris struck again for a second 16-yard touchdown pass, this time to James with the first quarter winding down, to extend the Hurricanes' lead to 14-3. The Hurricanes were again the beneficiaries of strong field position, taking only two plays to score after Duke Johnson returned a Virginia Tech punt 81 yards to set Miami up nicely.

Beyond the two touchdowns, the Hurricanes have been unable to muster any other offense, combining for just four yards aside from the two touchdown passes.

Virginia Tech vs. Miami 2012: Game time, TV schedule, odds and more

Miami will host Virginia Tech on Thursday in a battle between ACC opponents.