Miami football ends losing streak to Clemson with defensive 2OT walkoff
The Miami football team hung in all game and won 28-20 in double overtime when linebacker Corey Flagg tackled Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik for an eight-yard loss on fourth down from the one-yard line. Emory Williams started for Miami at QB with Tyler Van Dyke out with a leg injury.
Miami and Clemson traded field goals in the first overtime. Jonathan Weitz connected from 31 yards for Clemson. That was followed by a 35-yard field goal from Andres Borregales to send the game to double overtime. Borregales made a 35-yard field goal with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17.
Miami took the lead in the second overtime on a three-yard Ajay Allen run. Allen added a two-point conversion to extend the Miami lead to 28-20. Allen added the two-point conversion after Clemson was called for a horse collar tackle on Williams. The Nebraska transfer finished with 16 carries for 54 yards and the one TD.
Williams was a game manager, completing 24 passes in 33 attempts for 151 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Miami rallied from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to win for the first time since 2012. Williams threw an 11-yard TD pass to Colbie Young to get Miami within 17-14 with 8:00 left in the fourth quarter.
Williams grew up in the second half completing 14 passes in 17 attempts for 120 yards, one TD and no interceptions. Freshman defensive lineman Rueben Bain was dominant with eight tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two QB hits and one forced fumble. Bain dominated the Clemson offensive line all night.
Miami reversed their trend from the last two weeks by forcing three Clemson turnovers. The Williams interception was the only turnover by Miami. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Klubnik carried the Clemson offense with 314 yards passing and two TDs.
The game began bizarrely. Safety James Williams recovered a Will Shipley fumble in the end zone for Miami. On the next play, Breshard Smith ran 80 yards for Miami. Smith fumbled at the goal line. Wide receiver Jacolby George recovered in the end zone to put Miami up 7-0. Miami did not score again until the fourth quarter.
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The defense for the Miami football team kept them in the game until the fourth quarter. Williams and Young built a rapport in the fourth quarter. Young finished with six receptions for 76 yards and a TD. Miami hosts Virginia next week. Virginia won at number 10 North Carolina on Saturday night.