The Miami Hurricanes entered Week 8 as a double-digit favorite at home over Georgia Tech and hoping to carry momentum from their upset win over a ranked Virginia team last week, but the Hurricanes suffered another demoralizing loss at home to fall to 3-4 on the year.
After surrendering an early defensive touchdown to Georgia Tech on a fumble by N’Kosi Perry, Miami immediately rebounded with back-to-back touchdown drives to regain the lead. Trailing by a touchdown at the end of the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets stunned Miami with a 41-yard fake punt touchdown pass on 4th-and-7.
Miami had two chances to take the lead in the second half, but special teams errors doomed the Hurricanes. With 5:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, sophomore kicker Bubba Baxa missed a 27-yard go-ahead field goal. The Miami defense forced a quick punt, and Perry led the Hurricanes on what should have been a game-winning drive in the closing minutes of the game. Miami advanced all the way to the Georgia Tech 8-yard line with under 30 seconds remaining, but Turner Davidson’s 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked by the Yellow Jackets.
In overtime, Miami allowed a Georgia Tech touchdown in just three plays, and a controversial spot on a do-or-die fourth down play on Miami’s ensuing possession ended the game. On a 4th-and-4 from the 8-yard line, Brevin Jordan was pulled down on a second effort right on the first-down marker, officials reviewed the spot, moved the ball back and then measured the ball to be just short, ending the game.
While Miami fans can certainly argue that the spot was unfair, the team’s latest loss – to a 1-5 team at home – led for many to call for coach Manny Diaz to be fired.
