Miami football praised by ESPN College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit
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.
A lot goes on every Saturday but wanted to recognize the effort-attitude-& fight that @CanesFootball has played with since their loss to UVA.
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 24, 2021
A lot of noise and distractions-could have lost their way-if anything playing HARDER for their coaches and for each other. GREAT to see!
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.
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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.