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No. 16 Miami romps past struggling Virginia 52-17
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Published: November 8, 2009
MIAMI
Graig Cooper rushed for a career-best 152 yards and a touchdown, Damien Berry ran for two second-half scores and No. 16 Miami eased past struggling Virginia 52-17 yesterday.
Thearon Collier had a 60-yard punt return for the go-ahead touchdown, and Jacory Harris finished 18 of 31 for 232 yards with two touchdowns for the Hurricanes (7-2, 4-2 ACC). The 35-point margin of victory was Miami's biggest in an ACC game since beating Duke 52-7 in 2005.
Rashawn Jackson had a 34-yard rushing touchdown for Virginia (3-6, 2-3), which has lost 10 of 13 starting with an overtime defeat to Miami last season, a slide that's placed Coach Al Groh's future at his alma mater in doubt. The Cavaliers were outgained 515-149 and played without starting quarterback Jameel Sewell, who warmed up but was eventually ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Cooper, who also had a career-long 70-yard carry, has 2,001 career yards.
Virginia blocked two punts early -- the Cavaliers hadn't done that since 1996 -- to keep things close for a while. Marc Verica was harassed all day, finishing 11 of 29 passing for 75 yards with an interception, and Miami scored the game's final 28 points.
Berry's touchdown runs 1 and 2 yards came in the third quarter.
Cooper added a 3-yard run in the fourth, and backup quarterback A.J. Highsmith completed his first career touchdown pass, a 15-yarder to Kendal Thompkins with 3:34 left.
After halftime, it was one-sided: Miami outgained Virginia 282-57 in the final 30 minutes.
The win kept Miami one loss back of Georgia Tech in the ACC Coastal standings. Georgia Tech played Wake Forest later in the day.
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