Miami football run over in 62-26 loss to North Carolina
North Carolina ran over the Miami football team in a 62-26 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.
One week after their most complete performance of the season the Miami football team was dominated by an explosive North Carolina offense. Playing their first home game in seven weeks, Miami allowed 549 rushing yards to the Tar Heels in a 62-26 loss. The points were the most Miami allowed since a 59-21 2015 defeat to UNC.
North Carolina did not punt. The Tar Heels had only three drives not end in points. The Tar Heels drives at the end of each half ended because of time and a missed field goal ended a second-half drive. North Carolina dominated on the ground and at the line of scrimmage. It is one of the worst losses in Miami football history.
The loss ranks with the 58-0 loss to Clemson in 2015 and the 48-0 loss to Virginia in the last game at the Orange Bowl in 2007. Miami took the lead with a field goal on their first drive. North Carolina then set the tone on their first play from scrimmage. Michael Carter ran 12 yards for a first down.
That was followed by a 51-yard completion from Sam Howell to Dyami Brown. A Javonte Wiliams TD run gave North Carolina a lead they would never give up. After Miami was impressive on its first drive, the Tar Heels defense dominated as the offense scored on its next five drives to extend the lead to 34-3.
Miami scored their first TD on their last drive of the first half to cut the lead to 34-10. The Hurricanes defense never stopped North Carolina and could not keep up. Carter and Williams set an NCAA record by teammates combining for 544 yards rushing and five TDs. Howell did not have to do much.
The star sophomore quarterback was 14-19 for 223 yards and one TD. D’Eriq King was 18-30 for 239 yards, two TDs and one interception while running for 53 yards on 11 carries. Brevin Jordan and Mike Harley put up good numbers but in a 36 point loss, they were shallow. Jordan had six receptions for 140 yards and one TD.
Harley had six for 77 and a TD. It was simply a beatdown. Miami was dominated on both lines of scrimmage. Defensively Bubba Bolden led Miami with 13 tackles and defensive backs Te’Cory Couch and Amari Carter each has six to finish second which was indicative of how North Carolina dominated the front seven.
Miami will likely plummet in the rankings that come out on Sunday and the College Football Rankings that will be released on Tuesday. The loss likely cost Miami a spot in the Orange Bowl or another New Year’s Six Bowl. Miami finishes 8-2 and will find out their bowl destination next weekend.