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3 takeaways from another close win for No. 6 Miami and Heisman frontrunner Cam Ward
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Miami survived another close call and got another Heisman-worthy performance from quarterback Cam Ward.
And this time they didn’t need a miracle comeback to do it.
Ward threw for 319 yards and added to his FBS-leading total with 4 more touchdown passes on Saturday, 1 each to Xavier Restrepo, Sam Brown, Jacolby George and Isaiah Horton. But Louisville’s transfer quarterback Tyler Shough nearly matched him by throwing for 342 yards and 4 scores of his own.
It wasn’t until Restrepo recovered an onside kick with 48 seconds remaining that the 6th-ranked Hurricanes were able to wrap up a wild 52-45 road victory that keeps them undefeated and on top of the ACC standings.
Here are 3 takeaways from Miami’s 3rd straight 1-score victory and Louisville’s 2nd straight home loss:
Another game, another favorable review for the Hurricanes
What would a Miami game be without a potential game-changing 4th-quarter review that benefits the Hurricanes? It happened again on Saturday. Only this time, unlike the controversial Hail Mary reversal against Virginia Tech and the targeting non-call against Cal, it appears as though the ACC Command Center got the call right.
The play began with Ward getting hit by Louisville’s TJ Quinn as he brought his arm forward on a pass attempt. The ball popped out of the quarterback’s hand and was picked up by fellow linebacker Antonio Watts, who returned it 68 yards to the end zone.
Officials on the field ruled the play a fumble and a touchdown that would have brought the Cardinals within an extra point of tying the score. But upon review, it was determined that Ward had control of the ball as his arm was moving forward and the call was reversed and the Hurricanes retained possession.
They cashed in on the break when Damien Martinez broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run that finally allowed Miami to put the game away.
A little of everything in the 3rd quarter
It’s appropriate that the game was played in the heart of bourbon country. Because the 3rd quarter was absolutely drunk. The teams combined for 28 points in the period. But that doesn’t begin to describe the roller coaster of big plays and momentum swings that took place during those entertaining and eventful 15 minutes.
It started with Ward leading an epic 75-yard, 14-play touchdown drive that chewed 6½ minutes off the clock and extended Miami’s lead to 31-17. The 10-point advantage lasted only 15 seconds — just long enough for Caullin Lacy to take the ensuing kickoff back 100 yards for a Louisville touchdown.
The Cardinals then tied the game by forcing a quick turnover and converting it into a 21-yard scoring strike from Tyler Shough to Ja’Corey Brooks. Before the quarter was done, there was also a successful fake punt by Louisville, a 4th-down conversion by Miami from its own 34 and a 64-yard pass from Ward to Restrepo that set up another Hurricanes touchdown to set the stage for a dramatic final period.
The Bain of Louisville’s existence
Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain returned from injury 2 weeks ago against Cal, but it was obvious he still wasn’t himself. Last year’s ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year looked much stronger and more confident on Saturday.
And it made a huge difference in the Hurricanes’ defense.
Besides being consistently in Shough’s grill, Bain made his presence felt with a game-changing play 5 minutes before halftime. After a penalty on a punt return pinned Louisville back on its own 3, the Miami star stripped the ball from running back Isaac Brown. Teammate Raul Aguirre fell on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown that extended the Hurricanes’ lead to 24-14. It was the first defensive touchdown and first recovered fumble of the season for Miami’s defense.
Bain also recorded his first solo sack of the season late in the game to help his team hold on for the victory.
Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.
