Miami’s run of surviving thrillers and late-game reviews by officials extended to three games.
After escaping with wins against Virginia Tech and Cal, sixth-ranked Miami did it again Saturday with a wild 52-45 victory over Louisville.
Heisman contender Cam Ward threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns, and caught a break when officials reviewed and reversed a 68-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Antonio Watts with 4:50 remaining. The refs deemed Ward’s arm was moving forward when he lost the football.
Two weeks ago, a late-game targeting penalty was reversed in Miami’s favor in its 39-38 come-from-behind victory at Cal. That happened a week after Virginia Tech’s last-second Hail Mary touchdown catch was reversed and ruled incomplete allowing the Hurricanes to escape with a 38-34 win at home over the Hokies.
Instead of being tied at 45 following Louisville’s fumble return, Miami’s drive continued and two plays later Damien Martinez sealed the victory with a 30-yard touchdown run. The Hurricanes, who entered the week leading all FBS schools in scoring and yards per play, rolled up 541 yards of total offense, including 219 rushing yards.
They also had trouble stopping Louisville’s offense. The Cardinals (4-3 overall, 2-2 in the ACC) had 11 plays of 15 yards or more and were never out of it even when the Hurricanes (7-0 overall, 3-0 in the ACC) started to create some distance on the scoreboard.
Miami took a 31-17 lead when Ward led Miami right down the field on a 14-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half. But Caullin Lacy returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, and Miami’s Mark Fletcher gave the ball right back to Louisville moments later when he lost a fumble at the Hurricanes’ 26-yard line. Tyler Shough then connected with Ja’Corey Books on a 21-yard touchdown strike to tie the score.
The teams then traded touchdowns again before Miami took the lead for good on a 2-yard Ajay Allen touchdown run with 11:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Miami returns home to host rival Florida State (1-6, 1-5 ACC) next Saturday.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
