Miami football praised by ESPN College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit

Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN’s College GameDay on set in Tuscaloosa ahead of the Alabama, LSU game.College Gameday
Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN’s College GameDay on set in Tuscaloosa ahead of the Alabama, LSU game.College Gameday /
facebooktwitterreddit

Following its 31-30 victory over number 18 North Carolina State on Saturday, the Miami football team was praised by college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Herbstreit criticized Miami last month that President Julio Frenk, athletic director Blake James and head coach Manny Diaz were not aligned on the program’s direction.

Before their one-point victory on Saturday night, the Miami football team lost 30-28 to Virginia three weeks ago and 45-42 to North Carolina last week. A field goal on the last play of the game against Virginia hit the left upright. UNC intercepted a ball off a tipped pass as Miami was driving for a game-tying field goal.

The comments by Herbstreit came after a Miami Herald column by Barry Jackson last month and caused separate responses from Frenk, James and Diaz. Herbstreit mentioned last month that the powerhouse college football programs like Alabama have their President, athletic director and head coach aligned.

The initial comments from Herbstreit came following blowout losses to Alabama and Michigan State and a two-point victory over Appalachian State to begin the season. Miami defeated FCS Central Connecticut State 69-0 the day Herbsteit made his comments. Miami suffered the losses to UNC and UVA the next two games.

Miami has been widely praised for its effort in the last three games. Poor first quarters hurt Miami in the losses to Virginia and North Carolina. Miami almost completely comebacks from multiple scores down in both games. On Saturday against North Carolina State, Miami went up two scores in the first half and held on.

Next. Miami criticism from Kirk Herbstreit makes statement. dark

After blowing a 14-3 first-half lead the Hurricanes were booed off the field when North Carolina State went into halftime up 17-14. The lead changed multiple times in the second half. Big plays late in the fourth quarter allowed Miami to seize the victory. The Hurricanes play at 6-1, number 23 Pittsburgh on Saturday.