Miami Hurricanes Name Top Ten Plays of the Year

Nov 5, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Walton (left) celebrates with Hurricanes running back Crispian Atkins (right) during the second half against Pittsburgh Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

8 of 12

5. Joe Jackson recovers a fumble and rumbles 18 yards to the endzone to give Miami a 28-7 lead at Georgia Tech.

Two plays after Miami Freshman Shaquille Quarterman returned a fumble by Georgia Tech Quarterback Justin Thomas for a touchdown, Quarterman’s classmate did the same. Like Quarterman, Jackson had a scoop and score. Jackson ran back another Thomas fumble 18 yards for a touchdown.

The fumbles came on back to back Thomas carries and extended a 14-7 Miami lead to 28-7. The Yellow Jackets closed the gap to 28-21 in the second half, but a Kaaya to Coley 31 yard touchdown pass with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter closed out the scoring as the ‘Canes won their ACC Opener 35-21 in Atlanta.

The plays changed the course of the game, but Georgia Tech was never able to completely recover. It also seemed to light a fire under Jackson.

He came into the Georgia Tech game with six tackles and two sacks. He finished the season with 32 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Jackson finished second in the country among Freshmen to Florida State’s Brian Burns in sacks. His ceiling and future are both extremely promising.

Home/Hurricanes All-Time Football Lists