Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) scrambles during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Brad Kaaya threw two touchdown passes and Mark Walton ran for 111 yards and another score Saturday, leading Miami to a 34-14 victory against Virginia.
Kaaya connected with David Njoku for a 7-yard score and Ahmmon Richards for a 77-yard touchdown, the latter making Kaaya just the second quarterback to throw for more than 9,000 yards in his career at Miami (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Only Ken Dorsey, with 9,565, has more.
The victory, Miami's second in a row, also made the Hurricanes bowl-eligible.
"It's awesome. Awesome," right guard Danny Isadora said. "Got to keep winning."
The Cavaliers (2-8, 1-5) honored fourth- and fifth-year seniors before their final home game, but lost their fifth in a row. Virginia trailed just 17-14 at halftime, but mustered only 28 yards in the third quarter as Miami pulled away.
Walton's 15-yard run, capped as he arched his back to reach the end zone, essentially put the game away with 11:17 remaining. It gave the sophomore 21 touchdowns in 23 career games, and 11 touchdowns this season.
"I think the blocking was good, for the most part, but there were a few times where he was just ripping through tackles and just wasn't going to be denied a first down and kept a couple of drives going," first-year Hurricanes coach Mark Richt said.
THE TAKEAWAY
Miami: The Hurricanes reached bowl eligibility by getting stout performances on both sides of the ball. They rushed for 222 yards and passed for 228, and on defense sacked Virginia starting quarterback Kurt Benkert five times, including a strip sack by Corn Elder that Joe Jackson recovered.
Virginia: Benkert continued to be restless under pressure and had another rough day. He completed 16 of 27 passed for 143 yards before being removed in the fourth quarter. The swap allowed former starter Matt Johns to finish, and he received a rousing ovation when he entered his final career home game.
UP NEXT
Miami makes its first trip to Raleigh, North Carolina since 2008 to face North Carolina State.
Virginia plays at Georgia Tech.
___
More AP college football: http://collegfootball.ap.org
Miami wide receiver Malcolm Lewis (9) celebrates with running back Joseph Yearby (2) after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Miami wide receiver Malcolm Lewis (9) catches a pass in front of Virginia strong safety Kelvin Rainey (38) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia wide receiver Joe Reed (81) returns a kickoff during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall returns to the sidelines after a timeout during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Miami wide receiver Malcolm Lewis (9) catches a pass in front of Virginia strong safety Kelvin Rainey (38) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Miami wide receiver Malcolm Lewis (9) catches a pass in front of Virginia strong safety Kelvin Rainey (38) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Miami running back Joseph Yearby (2) rushes during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia tailback Taquan Mizzell (4) rushes past Miami linebacker Charles Perry (34) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia free safety Juan Thornhill (21) nearly intercepts a pass intended for Miami wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (82) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia tailback Taquan Mizzell (4) fumbles during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia quarterback Matt Johns (15) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
Miami running back Mark Walton (1) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Miami defeated Virginia 34-14. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press