Miami football five critical elements that led to loss at North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Dazz Newsome #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dives to make a catch in front of DJ Ivey #8 and Romeo Finley #30 of the Miami Hurricanes look oon during the second half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 28-25. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

Miami would have been within one headed to halftime if the kick would have been made. That is not why Miami lost, but it all adds up. The biggest miss was the blocked point after touchdown in the third quarter that would have tied the game. It forced Miami going for two after the go-ahead touchdown with 4:38 remaining.

The two-point conversion failed. That left the Hurricanes up 25-20 with North Carolina getting the ball back. The Tar Heels scored the go-ahead touchdown and converted their own two-point conversion to take a 28-25 lead with 1:01 remaining. If Miami makes the PAT in the third quarter North Carolina doesn’t go for two.

Baxa misses 49-yard field goal and #Canes lose 28-25 to drop to 0-2 for the first time since 1978
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 8, 2019

The Tar Heels would have tied the game at 27 with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter instead of taking a three-point lead. Even with Baxa’s missed field goal at the end of the game, at the worst, the Miami football team and North Carolina would have headed to overtime.

3) Too many long pass plays by North Carolina

Last season the longest pass play allowed by the Miami Hurricanes defense was 48 yards. Through two games this season Miami has allowed three pass plays over 60 yards. Against North Carolina, the Miami defense allowed a 39-yard completion in the first quarter from Sam Howell to Antoine Green.

Home/Miami Hurricanes Football