No. 10 Hurricanes blow late lead, lose to SMU in overtime on the road

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DALLAS — The Hurricanes held a lead in the final two minutes, but it was not enough to escape Texas with a win.

No. 10 Miami (6-2, 3-2 ACC) gave up the game-winning touchdown in overtime, falling to SMU (6-3, 4-1 ACC) 26-20 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The loss likely eliminates the Hurricanes from the ACC championship race and severely harms their College Football Playoff hopes.

SMU appeared to be out of luck when UM sacked quarterback Kevin Jennings on fourth down. But the referees called unnecessary roughness because Miami had called a timeout before the play. The Mustangs kicked the game-tying field goal, which sent the game to overtime.

In overtime, Carson Beck threw an interception on third down near the goal line. SMU needed just three points to win the game, and TJ Harden scored the game-winning touchdown as the crowd rushed the field.

Both teams played sloppily throughout Saturday’s game. The Hurricanes caught an early break. The Mustangs drove into UM’s half of the field, and tried to convert on a fourth-and-short. SMU fumbled, and the Hurricanes recovered, ending the early SMU scoring threat.

Miami converted the turnover into points, as quarterback Carson Beck found wide receiver Jojo Trader — making his first start of the season in place of the injured CJ Daniels — streaking down the field for a 36-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.

Trader had a hot start to the game, but he had a critical mistake early in the second quarter. Beck hit the sophomore receiver with a pass, but Trader bobbled the ball, and SMU safety Ahmaad Moses picked it off and set the Mustangs up at the Miami 28-yard line. On the next play, SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings hit tight end Yamir Knight for a game-tying touchdown.

Miami got a crucial defensive stop in the last two minutes of the second quarter, pinning SMU deep in its territory and forcing a punt. Malachi Toney returned the punt 47 yards to the Mustangs’ 9, setting up a UM field goal to end the half.

The Hurricanes appeared to make a massive play at the start of the third quarter, as Xavier Lucas strip-sacked Jennings, and Rueben Bain Jr. recovered the fumble at the SMU 11. But after review, the call was overturned and called an incomplete pass. Jennings and the Mustangs marched down the field and scored on a 3-yard touchdown run by Jennings, giving SMU the lead.

UM quickly took the lead back, driving 74 yards on the ensuing drive and capping it with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Beck to a wide-open tight end, Alex Bauman.

After the Hurricanes failed to convert on fourth-and-1, SMU drove down the field and tied the game with a 43-yard field goal from Sam Keltner late in the third quarter.

Carter Davis put Miami ahead with a 45-yard field goal with 9:34 left in the fourth quarter, but SMU drove into UM territory. A hold pushed the Mustangs back, and their attempted game-tying field goal sailed over the upright — referees ruled it no good.

The Mustangs ultimately tied the game on a late field goal and scored the winner in overtime.

Five takeaways

1. Hurricanes keep making mistakes

The Hurricanes could not get out of their own way in Saturday’s game. UM, which has been one of the ACC’s most penalized teams, kept wrecking its own drives with penalties. The Hurricanes committed 12 penalties for 96 total yards, not including penalties that were declined. Five offensive linemen had penalties.

Additionally, other mistakes may not show up in the box score. Trader’s bobble catch turned into an SMU interception, which the Mustangs turned into their first seven points. Kick returner Keelan Marion caught a kick that likely would have gone out of bounds, and Miami had to start that drive at its own 10. The Hurricanes also had a chance to pin the Mustangs on a long, line drive punt from Dylan Joyce, but UM could not corral it out of the end zone despite having two players near the ball.

2. Defense performs decently

The Hurricanes kept the Mustangs’ offense largely in check — especially on the ground.

SMU n yards, and nearly all of them came through the air. Miami held SMU to just 16 rushing yards.

The Mustangs also struggled when they needed to make plays. SMU went a combined 3 of 14 on third and fourth downs.

3. Trader breaks out

Hurricanes fans have been waiting to see what Trader can do, and he performed well early. The former Chaminade-Madonna star had the game’s first touchdown, catching an impressive contested ball.

Trader ended the game with five catches for 81 yards. Although his bobbled catch resulted in an interception, he still presented himself as a solid option going forward.

4. Fletcher’s strong game

Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. didn’t impact the score sheet like he did against Stanford, but he still had a strong performance.

The American Heritage alum had 16 carries for a team-leading 84 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Fletcher left the game with an injury late in the fourth quarter.

5. Keelan Marion serves as key target

UM wide receiver Keelan Marion was a crucial target for Beck on Saturday.

Marion ended the game with five catches for 77 yards, with many of them coming on key third downs.

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