Miami Loses Heartbreaker vs UNC 28-25

The Miami Hurricanes fall to 0-2 the season after a tough loss to North Carolina as the Tar Heels snatched the game back with a late touchdown to end the hopes of a comeback. Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell led the team on a game-winning touchdown drive capped off by a Dazz Newsome 10 yard touchdown catch which took away the ‘Canes first lead of the day.

            Miami looked bad in the first quarter as UNC seemed to move the ball with little to no trouble and the offense couldn’t get much going. Carolina found themselves up 17-3 after the first quarter racking up 171 yards on offense while holding the Hurricanes to just 47 yard with zero yards rushing.

            The Hurricanes did find a groove however to end the first half as Jarren Williams led Miami down the field and finished the drive off with a 6 yard KJ Osborn touchdown catch with just 25 seconds until halftime. Miami had made it 17-13 and Jarren Williams looked impressive, especially after the first quarter.

            A UNC field goal was quickly answered by Miami with a Cam’Ron Harris four-yard touchdown run that finished off a seven-play 75-yard drive. With a chance to tie the game the Tar Heels blocked the extra point which would have leveled the game at 20. The Hurricanes then found a way with 4 minutes and 38 seconds left in the game a Williams to Will Mallory touchdown gave the ‘Canes their first lead of the game. After a failed two-point conversion Miami led 25-20.

            With momentum Miami seemed to have North Carolina on the ropes, pinned back on 4th and 17 Sam Howell somehow found Rontavious Groves for the long conversion which gave UNC life. With the extra chance Howell stormed down field on a nine play 75 yard drive to put the Tar Heels in the lead with just 1:01 to play. Miami with one last chance on a Bubba Baxa 49 yard field goal to tie the game misses wide left and Mack Brown and the Tar Heels find themselves 2-0 while Manny Diaz and the Hurricanes fall to 0-2.

            Redshirt Freshman Jarren Williams had a bounceback performance after a tough one against the Florida Gators going 30-39 for 309 yards and two touchdowns while transfer wide receiver KJ Osborn had a good outing with seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown but the ‘Canes will want much more than stats. The offensive line once again looked bad, at times looking like they couldn’t block anybody for their quarterback while not getting a good enough push in the late stages of the game to keep the ‘Canes in the lead.

            The Hurricanes defense will also look to adjust as the secondary at times looked lost while the front couldn’t seem to generate enough pressure to keep UNC quarterback Sam Howell off balance.

            Miami is surely heartbroken over this one and it’s a tough loss that feels like it sets Miami back in terms of momentum. All these kinks can be worked out next week as Miami faces off against Bethune-Cookman at 4:00PM/EST on ACC Network.

  • Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com
  • Twitter: @TheSkyBoat.com
  • @DarrellW_Sports
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