MIAMI -- A defense that couldn't stop anything a week ago was suddenly airtight. An oft-injured running back had the best game of his career. And a punt returner somehow evaded seven would-be tacklers on his way to a touchdown.
For No. 16 Miami, everything worked.
Graig Cooper rushed for a career-best 152 yards and a touchdown, Thearon Collier cut across the field for a remarkable 60-yard punt return touchdown and Miami eased past struggling Virginia 52-17 Saturday - finally avenging a loss that hovered over the Hurricanes for two years.
"I'm not going to lie to you: It feels good to hang 52 on them," said center A.J. Trump, who was a backup on Virginia's last trip to South Florida, a 48-0 Cavaliers victory two years ago in Miami's final game at the Orange Bowl.
Jacory Harris finished 18-of-31 for 232 yards with two TDs for the Hurricanes (7-2, 4-2 ACC). The 35-point margin of victory was Miami's biggest in an ACC game since it beat Duke 52-7 in 2005.
"We remember what they did to us at the Orange Bowl last time," Cooper said. "It was important to get this. It was personal."
Miami needed the win to remain alive in the ACC Coastal Division race. The Hurricanes are 11/2 games behind Georgia Tech, an overtime winner later Saturday over Wake Forest. If Georgia Tech beats Duke next week, Miami will be eliminated from the ACC chase.
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.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.
Also Saturday
Clemson 40, Florida State 24: C.J. Spiller had a career-high 165 yards rushing and his 20th touchdown of at least 50 yards, and host Clemson took its biggest step yet toward an ACC championship.
Spiller, the Tigers' star senior, caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Parker and, with 312 all-purpose yards, surpassed the school record of 310 he set in Clemson's 40-37 overtime win at Miami two weeks ago.
He also closed Clemson's fifth victory over the Seminoles in the past seven meetings with a high-stepping, 5-yard touchdown run as the orange-clad fans shook Death Valley.
Spiller and the Tigers (6-3, 4-2) are in control of the ACC's Atlantic Division with games remaining against N.C. State and Virginia.
