Stung again: Miami Hurricanes’ luck runs out at Georgia Tech

Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes’ dream of an undefeated season is over, as their late-game heroics fell short in the 28-23 loss to Georgia Tech. Cam Ward was strip-sacked by Romello Height with 1:48 remaining dashing what could’ve been their fourth second-half comeback. The Yellow Jackets exploited the defense, however, instead of airing it out, they pounded the ball accumulating 271 yards. In contrast, Haynes King and Aaron Philo combined for 99 passing yards.

GEORGIA TECH GETS THE STRIP SACK ON CAM WARD LATE IN THE 4TH 😳

Yellow Jackets upset the No. 4 Canes! pic.twitter.com/6LDm8iudW7

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 9, 2024

By running wild, Georgia Tech dominated time of possession limiting Ward’s field presence. Even when Miami had the ball, the Cardiac Canes found difficulty converting. UM was three of 10 on third-down conversions. Furthermore, they were one and four on fourth down leaving nine valuable points on the field. Despite throwing for 348 yards and three touchdowns, the Heisman hopeful couldn’t pull his team out of the hole.

Cam Ward and the Miami Hurricanes turn the switch and battle back in. #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/feE4zy7dx6

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) November 9, 2024

The opposing sides scored on their opening drives before Miami took a brief lead via a 41-yard field goal. After Georgia Tech struck first, Ward responded with a 74-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arroyo. The Yellow Jackets regained the lead with a five-yard TD reception to Malik Rutherford.

Georgia Tech extended their advantage midway through the third quarter when Philo threw his first-career TD, hitting Chase Lane. Down two scores, Ward pulled off big passes to Arroyo, Isaiah Horton, and Xavier Restrepo capping off the effort with an eight-yard TD toss to Horton making it 21-16.

The dynamic duo do it AGAIN! It's Restrepo's 10th TD of the season and Cam Ward's third of the day. Cardiac Canes claw back down 28-23.#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/z0kM5mrDXA

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) November 9, 2024

Facing third and long to start the fourth quarter, Philo found a wide-open Bailey Stockton for a 27-yard first down pushing into the Canes’ red zone. King eventually ran it to make it 28-16. Miami nearly pulled back in with a touchdown pass to Horton on fourth down, however, a pair of penalties in the form of an ineligible receiver and a holding call neutralized the play. As a result, UM failed to convert again. Although Ward later used the opportunity to hit X with a 38-yard strike it’s the closest they’d get.

Ward to Brown

Incomplete pic.twitter.com/FQHArYMARG

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) November 9, 2024

Impressions

The inevitable came

GEORGIA TECH HANDS NO. 4 MIAMI ITS FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON 😲 pic.twitter.com/nXSKlkUmZS

— ESPN (@espn) November 9, 2024

It was bound to happen. Whether during the regular season, the conference championship, or the CFP, Miami’s good fortunes were going to end. What makes the loss so frustrating is how it’s self-inflicted. Penalties, missed tackles, dropped passes, zero sacks, bad play-calling, and a weak defense. Similar to last year, a lot had to go wrong and it did. The good news is, that the loss is not fatal to UM’s postseason hopes. They can win out. The bad news is in certain scenarios the loss to GT is a blemish on their resume.

Bad play calling is partly to blame

Going ALL OUT for the TD! 😤@thechaselane with an incredible catch!

📺 @GeorgiaTechFB x ESPNpic.twitter.com/OfS1s7ftHL

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 9, 2024

Many bear responsibility (Ward included). However, some of this is on coach Mario Cristobal. The Hurricanes suffered three turnovers on downs. When you look at where they were when the team lost possession those were ignored field goals. That’s nine points left on the field. Nine. Now look at the final score. Why do we have Andy Borregales on the team if they won’t use him? I love being aggressive and going for it but this was careless.

Defense was fugly

3RD and 18

1st Down GT pic.twitter.com/R8oMaTDGGz

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) November 9, 2024

I gotta hand it to Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets ran the ball daring Miami to stop them. In doing so, GT kept Ward off the field chewing up the clock. All those missed tackles and confusion led to an unfortunate ending. Sure, injury is a factor. It won’t stop the calls for a new defensive coordinator. The sentiment has grown with each game and the loss amplifies those voices. Adjustments weren’t made for the second half. Today’s loss painfully illustrated the unit can’t stop the pass or the run. There were no sacks or takeaways. I know the secondary has problems but the front today was extra disappointing. The bye week should be used for some reflection in the unit.