Jose Borregales clutch kicking critical in Miami Hurricanes win
Three critical, second-half field goals by Jose Borregales were overshadowed by a legendary performance by quarterback D’Eriq King in a 44-41 Miami Hurricanes victory.
The inconsistency in the kicking game cost the Miami Hurricanes two to three victories in 2019. Graduate transfer Jose Borregales had multiple field goals for the third time this season in a 44-41 victory over North Carolina State Friday. In 2019 Miami might have missed one of two of those field goal attempts.
The Hurricanes needed everyone one of those field goals in the second half in the victory over the Wolfpack. Borregales made a 36-yard field goal at the beginning of the second half to tie the game at 24. Borregales 38 and 22-yard field goals in the fourth quarter got Miami within 41-37 to set up King’s late-game heroics.
After a defensive stop, King led Miami on an 85-yard drive culminated with a 54-yard TD pass from King to Mike Harley with 2:43 remaining. In 2019 too many times Miami was in a position to win or tie, sending the game to overtime but unreliable kicking led to a defeat. Borregales has steadied the position almost unnoticed.
Borregales has made all 27 of his extra points and is 13 of 14 on field goals attempts. The 13 field goals are the second-most in college football. Borregales has also been adept at kickoffs. Entering the weekend, Borregales ranked 13th nationally with an average of 64.55 yards per kickoff and 18th with a 68.42 touchback percentage.
In tight games having an elite kicker makes a huge difference. For Miami, this season Borregales has proven to be a huge part of the 6-1 start for the Hurricanes. The Borregales legacy will continue beyond 2020. Borregales’ brother Andres is committed to Miami for the Class of 2021.
Next. Legendary King performance leads Miami over NC State. dark
Andres is the fourth-ranked kicker in the 2021 class. This is the year for Jose to make an impact with the Miami Hurricanes and create the Borregales family legacy. In the second game of the season against Louisville, Borregales made three field goals including a 57-yarder. Expect to see more Borregales moments in 2020.