This time Miami was unable to make up for a deficit in the second half.
Cam Ward was sacked and fumbled with the ball with 1:36 remaining as Georgia Tech upset previously undefeated No. 4 Miami, 28-23.
Georgia Tech dropped eight defenders in coverage on the second play and Ward couldn’t find a receiver to throw to. Romello Height chased Ward from behind and Jordan Van Den Berg recovered the ball.
Miami never got the ball back after Ward’s fumble. Eric Singleton ran for a first down on third down and slid in front of the end zone after Miami used its timeouts. That simply allowed Georgia Tech to run out the clock.
The Hurricanes entered the game 9-0 and ranked in the top four of the initial CFP rankings due to an uncanny ability to overcome deficits in the second half. This season, Miami had already come back from a 10-point deficit to Virginia Tech, a 25-point deficit to Cal and trailed by 11 points early in the second half against Duke a week ago before eliminating the Blue Devils.
However, the magic ran out on Saturday, even as Miami gave its fans hope that another comeback was on the horizon.
After a penalty negated a Miami TD, Georgia Tech stopped the Hurricaes on a fourth down attempt with just over 10 minutes remaining. However, the Yellow Jackets were unable to increase their 28-16 lead at that point and Miami got the ball back just a few minutes later.
It took just 2:17 for Miami to score and cut the lead to five when Ward found Xavier Restrepo for a 38-yard touchdown.
Georgia Tech was then stuffed on third down near midfield and decided to punt. That gave Miami the opportunity to complete the comeback. Instead, Ward fumbled on the second play of the drive.
Miami’s defense is a problem
Ward has become a Heisman Trophy contender thanks to second-half comebacks and stellar play that have made him one of the best quarterbacks in college football this season. However, Miami’s Achilles heel has been its defense. And that was on display on Saturday.
QB Haynes King made his first start in weeks for Georgia Tech, although he was clearly limited by his shoulder injury throwing the football. The Yellow Jackets rotated freshman Aaron Philo in passing and had a plan to hold on to the run.
It worked, even if it cost a lot of bodies. Georgia Tech opened the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run by Jamal Haynes on his way to 271 rushing yards on 48 carries. Miami knew Georgia Tech would run, run, run. And the Hurricanes struggled to slow Georgia Tech.
Not long after the TD run, Haynes had to leave the game due to an injury and did not return. Eight players ended up carrying the ball for Georgia Tech, while King led all rushers with 20 carries for 93 yards and a score.
He also completed all six passes he threw, although they were all very short, covering only 32 yards. Philo was 5 of 10 passing for 67 yards.
SMU now leads the ACC
Miami’s loss also makes the race for the ACC title incredibly interesting. SMU is now the only team without a loss in the conference as Miami, Clemson and Pitt all have one loss, while Louisville sits in fifth place at 4-2. The Mustangs, Hurricanes and Tigers have not played each other this season and SMU’s schedule is very manageable.
It is now entirely conceivable that Miami and Clemson will battle for the right to play the Mustangs in the ACC title game. After a week off on Saturday, SMU still has Boston College, Virginia and Cal on its schedule. If both Miami and Clemson are in the lead, the Hurricanes have an advantage thanks to their win over Louisville and Clemson’s loss to the Cardinals a week ago.
