Miami Hurricanes Start Slow, Falter Late in 30-27 loss to Notre Dame

What a strange game.

Things certainly looked bleak early on.

But the Hurricanes overcame a 20 point deficit to take the lead in the 4th quarter.

It was short lived.

UM couldn’t finish strong, and a late FG sealed their fate in South Bend, as they dropped their 4th straight game 30-27 to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame’s opening drive resulted in a TD off a shovel pass to Torii Hunter Jr. from Deshone Kizer. ND had the UM defense off balance through out.

The Miami offense “responded” with a three and out. All three plays runs, all three plays for negative yards.

The Irish moved the ball yet again on their second series, and cashed in with a Justin Yoon FG to make it 10-0.

A Brad Kaaya INT set up The Irish deep in UM territory and Kizer hit Equanomeous St. Brown to make the hole that much deeper at 17-0.

It was Murphy’s Law in South Bend for the Hurricanes.

A long completion from Kizer to freshman Kevin Stephenson set up another Yoon chip shot, and it was 20-0 faster than you can say bottle opener.

The Hurricanes finally got off the mat and got on the board when Kaaya hit David Njoku on a fade pattern from inside the 5 to make it 20-7.

An on sides kick ensued and Jamal Carter recovered to give the ‘Canes the ball back.

But UM could not convert, as Kaaya was sacked on 3rd and long.

The combination of poor O line play, guys not getting separation, and BK holding the ball too long, has been lethal the last few weeks.

UM had another chance to cut into the lead before the first half was over, but Joe Yearby was stopped literally an inch short of the first down on 4th and 1 inside the Notre Dame 40.

The second half was a completely different Miami effort, orchestrated by a much better defense and a much more poised Kaaya.

Miami got right back in the game with a gutsy opening drive that was capped with a Mark Walton TD to make it 20-14.

UM overcame a several second and third and longs on the march.

The ‘Canes D produced a three and out on the next series, prompting DC Manny Diaz to jump up and down on the sidelines. When Zach McCloud blocked the ensuing punt, Miami was in business.

Kaaya stayed hot, but Miami stalled deep in ND territory.

Nonetheless a Michael Badgley FG made it a three point game.

The Irish were on the move on their next possession but Adrian Colbert made a huge stop on 4th and 1 on a bubble screen to get the ball back!

BK got UM on the march again, but they couldn’t get to the end zone yet again.

Badgley knocked on in from 37 to make it 20 all.

The defense got another big stop and Kaaya went back to work, hitting Stacy Coley for a big first down.

Miami stalled though and had to punt.

That’s when things got crazy.

C.J. Sanders tried to field the ball inside his own 5 and muffed. Michael Jackson recovered in the end zone for the 27th unanswered point by the Hurricanes.

However, Josh Adams ripped through the UM d from 43 to tie things back up on the Irish’ next possession.

Miami went three and out and the Irish again marched down the field.

They fumbled inside the 5, UM couldn’t recover, and it led to a first and goal for ND with under 2 to go.

Huge chance missed.

3 plays later Yoon put Notre Dame back on top with a 23 yard FG.

With very little time on the clock, Kaaya got Miami to mid field.

Appropriately though, he was sacked to end the game.

Making big plays when you need them separates wins from losses.

The Miami Hurricanes still have a long way to go.

You are your record.

UM is 4-4 and they have a lot of work to do.