The Miami football team overcame three first-half lost fumbles with an otherwise explosive offensive performance to defeat Georgia Tech 33-30. Miami seemed to have almost everything against them for most of the game until the final drive when a pair of plays went in the Hurricanes favor to secure the victory.
On first down from their own 17, Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims appeared to complete a pass for 31 yards to Adonicas Sanders. After the play was reviewed, it was ruled that Sims’ knee was down at the Yellow Jackets 11. After an incomplete pass, Gibbs connected with Sanders for 12 yards and third and 16.
Sims and running back Jahmyr Gibbs connected for 18 yards and appeared to have a first down. Georgia Tech was called for holding. Sims was incomplete on fourth down and Miami kneeled on the next play to run out the clock. Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke, running back Jaylan Knighton and wide receiver Charleston Rambo had big games.
Van Dyke completed 22 passes in 34 attempts for 389 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Knighton had a career-high 32 carries for 162 yards and one TD. Rambo had seven receptions for 210 yards and a TD. Keyshawn Smith had three receptions for 35 yards and the game-winning TD for the second straight game.
The Miami Georgia Tech rivalry has been full of stranger things for about 10 years. Georgia Tech had the three forced fumbles in the first half. The Yellow Jackets recovered all three. Jaylon King returned a Knighton fumble for a TD in the second quarter to put Georgia Tech up 20-17 at halftime.
On the Smith TD, the Miami football team went for two and Yellow Jackets defensive back Juanyeah Thomas return the two-point conversion attempt to cut the Miami lead 33-30. Miami had its best performance offensively against an FBS opponent with 563 yards. Van Dyke completed passes to nine different receivers.
After the win over Georgia Tech, Miami travels to Florida State next Saturday looking for its fourth win in a row overall and fifth straight victory over the Seminoles. Florida State is hosting North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon. The Seminoles lost 30-20 to Clemson last weekend and are 3-5 overall.