Syracuse Knocks Out No. 6 Miami, Dents College Football Playoff Hopes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Kyle McCord and Syracuse rallied from a 21-0 deficit to knock No. 6 Miami out of Atlantic Coast Conference title contention and possibly ended the Hurricanes’ College Football Playoff hopes with a 42-38 win on Saturday.
McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns, while LeQuint Allen ran for two scores and picked up two critical first downs on Syracuse’s final, clock-killing drive. Devin Grant forced a fumble that he returned 56 yards for a touchdown to help the Orange beat a ranked foe for the third time this season.
Cam Ward had 349 yards passing with two touchdowns for the Hurricanes, who will be off next week while Clemson faces SMU for the ACC title and will have to hope for an at-large bid into the 12-team playoff.
The game was tied at 28 when Grant forced a fumble by receiver Xavier Restrepo at the Syracuse 44. He scooped the ball and ran down the left sideline for the score, giving the Orange a 35-28 lead with 1:47 to go in the third quarter.
Damien Martinez ran for a 2-yard TD on Miami’s next possession to tie the game at 35-all. Allen’s 3-yard run gave the Orange the lead for good at 42-35.
Miami scored touchdowns on its first three possessions and a rout appeared possible. A 40-yard touchdown pass from McCord to Trebor Pena midway through the first quarter was wiped out by an illegal formation penalty and seemed to deflate Syracuse.
But the Orange began their rally with two quick touchdowns in the second quarter. Allen took a handoff, bounced off a would-be tackler and maintained his balance for an 8-yard TD, and McCord connected with Jackson Meeks in the left corner of the end zone from 9 yards out to make it 21-14 at the half.
The scoring didn’t slow down after halftime.
The Takeaway
Miami must clean up its defense, and given the struggles on that side of the ball, coach Mario Cristobal will be second-guessed for kicking the short field goal late.
First-year coach Fran Brown’s Orange showed tremendous fight and resilience.
Up Next
Miami awaits a playoff berth or a bowl game. The Orange await their bowl game destination and opponent.
Conclusion
Syracuse’s comeback win over No. 6 Miami was a thrilling conclusion to the regular season. The Orange’s offense, led by McCord and Allen, proved to be too much for the Hurricanes’ defense. Miami’s season may not be over, but their College Football Playoff hopes took a significant blow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did Miami’s defense struggle in this game?
A: Yes, Miami’s defense allowed Syracuse to score 42 points and gain 983 yards of offense.
Q: What was the significance of Devin Grant’s fumble return touchdown?
A: Grant’s 56-yard fumble return touchdown gave Syracuse a 35-28 lead and turned the tide of the game in their favor.
Q: How did Miami’s offense perform in this game?
A: Miami’s offense was led by Cam Ward, who threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns. However, they struggled to convert red zone opportunities, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.
Q: What are Miami’s options for the remainder of the season?
A: Miami will await a playoff berth or a bowl game.
