Kaaya, Walton Lead Miami Past Virginia, 34-14

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBSMiami/AP) — Brad Kaaya threw two touchdown passes and running back 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 in history to throw for over 9,000 yards in his career at Miami (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Only Ken Dorsey, with 9,565, has more.

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 17-14 at halftime, but mustered just 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.

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.

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