Introduction to the Match
Carter Davis made a 47-yard field goal with 1:04 left for the go-ahead score, Carson Beck threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns in his Miami debut, and the 10th-ranked Hurricanes beat No. 6 Notre Dame 27-24 in the opener for both teams on Sunday night.
Game Highlights
CJ Daniels made a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab and Rueben Bain had an interception on a thrice-deflected pass in the fourth quarter for the Hurricanes, who outgained Notre Dame 324 yards to 314. Malachi Toney had a touchdown catch and Marty Brown added a TD run for Miami.
Notre Dame’s Performance
CJ Carr, in his first start for Notre Dame, finished 19 of 30 for 221 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception — plus a rushing score with 3:21 left that tied the game, capping a rally from 14 points down. Micah Gilbert and Jordan Faison had the scoring grabs for the Irish.
Turning Point of the Game
Miami went 46 yards on 10 plays on the ensuing drive, with Davis — a transfer from FAU — delivering for the lead. Notre Dame got the ball at its own 25, out of timeouts, and went nowhere before time expired.
Post-Game Reaction
“In the face of adversity, we got it done when we needed to,” Beck said.
Game Strategy
Miami won the coin toss and deferred, which proved relevant — since the Hurricanes essentially ran out the clock on the first half with a 75-yard TD drive, then started the second half with another 75-yard TD march.
Notable Plays
Carr’s first collegiate touchdown pass came on a play where he dropped back, zigging and zagging to avoid pressure, then ran back toward the line before finding Gilbert for what became a rather easy score that tied the game at 7-7.
Time Management
Nearly an hour passed in real time before Carr threw another ball, as Miami essentially had back-to-back possessions separated only by an Irish kneel-down to end the half.
Scoring Drives
Daniels’ 20-yard grab came with 12 seconds left before halftime to give Miami a 14-7 lead, and the Hurricanes chewed up half of the third-quarter clock on another 75-yard drive capped by Brown’s 5-yard run.
The Takeaway
Notre Dame: The Irish became the fourth team that was ranked in the top eight of the preseason AP Top 25 to lose this weekend, after No. 1 Texas (to No. 3 Ohio State), No. 4 Clemson (to No. 9 LSU) and No. 8 Alabama (to Florida State). They’ve now lost seven consecutive road games against the Hurricanes since 1977.
Miami: Beck is the seventh consecutive quarterback to win his Miami starting debut, following D’Eriq King, Tyler Van Dyke, Jake Garcia, Jacurri Brown, Emory Williams and Cam Ward. Expect Miami to gain a few spots in the AP Top 25.
Up Next
Notre Dame: Hosts Texas A&M on Sept. 13.
Miami: Hosts Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.
Conclusion
The match between No. 10 Miami and No. 6 Notre Dame was an intense thriller, with both teams giving their all. However, it was Miami who emerged victorious, thanks to Carter Davis’ 47-yard field goal with just over a minute left to play. This win is expected to boost Miami’s ranking in the AP Top 25, while Notre Dame will look to regroup and come back stronger in their next game.
FAQs
Q: Who made the game-winning field goal for Miami?
A: Carter Davis made the 47-yard field goal with 1:04 left to give Miami the lead.
Q: Who was the starting quarterback for Notre Dame?
A: CJ Carr was the starting quarterback for Notre Dame, making his first collegiate start.
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The final score was 27-24 in favor of Miami.
Q: What is Notre Dame’s next game?
A: Notre Dame hosts Texas A&M on Sept. 13.
Q: What is Miami’s next game?
A: Miami hosts Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.
