Logan Thomas accounted for five touchdowns – including the game-winning 19-yard touchdown run with 56 seconds left – and No. 17 Virginia Tech avoided its worst conference start in 54 years with a wild 38-35 victory over visiting Miami on Saturday.

A week after the Hokies (5-1, 1-1 ACC) failed to score a touchdown at home for the first time since 1995, Thomas put up a performance for the ages. He was 23 of 25 for 310 yards and three passing touchdowns and two rushing.

The huge game helped the Hokies avoid losing consecutive home games for the first time since 2002, as well as their first 0-2 league start since 1957 when they were a member of the Southern Conference.

Both teams were desperate for a win. No team has won the ACC after losing its first two league games. In the end, Thomas made more plays in a game filled with big ones.

After Lamar Miller’s 30-yard touchdown run stunned the crowd at Lane Stadium and gave Miami a 35-31 lead with 3:10 left, Thomas led the Hokies on an 8-play, 77-yard drive. The key moment came on fourth-and-1 from the 19-yard line, when Thomas faked a handoff to David Wilson on a zone-read play and raced practically untouched for the game-winning score.

The Hurricanes were out of sync in their final drive and the game ended when Miller caught a pass and was spun down at the Hokies’ 47-yard line.