Speaking to ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath after the game, Miami football quarterback Carson Beck said the past eight months have been hard and that he was proud of how the Hurricanes beat Notre Dame 27-24 in the season opener in the face of adversity.
Miami led 21-7 after scoring on the first possession of the second half and 24-14 in the fourth quarter before Notre Dame rallied to tie the game at 24. Miami answered with a 10-play, 46-yard drive in 2:17 that culminated with a 46-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 27-24 lead with 1:04 remaining.
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After Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr had a 12-yard completion to Eli Raridon, Miami had consecutive sacks. Notre Dame ran out of time after the second sack at the line of scrimmage and Miami earned a season-opening win over the No. 6 ranked Fighting Irish.
Beck completed 20 passes in 31 attempts for 205 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. After a scoreless first quarter, Miami took a 7-0 lead when Beck connected with true freshman Malachi Toney for a 28-yard touchdown. Toney led Miami with six receptions for 82 yards and a TD.
"The past eight months have been so hard...I'm just so blessed to be out here and have an opportunity to play again. Man, I love these guys and I'm so proud of the way they played - they played so hard. In the face of adversity, we got it done when we needed to. I'm just so blessed and thankful to play this game I love.""Miami quarterback Carson Beck
Carson Beck was overcome with emotion after Miami's thrilling win over Notre Dame
Notre Dame tied the game on a seven-yard TD pass from Carr to Micah Gilbert after an incredible scramble to avoid the Miami pass rush. Miami answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive in 5:09 to take a 14-7 lead on an unbelievable 20-yard TD catch from C.J. Daniels just before halftime.
Miami bracketed the TD by Daniels with a five-yard TD run by CharMar Brown to extend the lead to 21-7. The Hurricanes went stagnant offensively with 13 plays for 15 yards on the next four drives. The third of those drives resulted in a field goal after a Rueben Bain interception.
Miami was able to prevail after being outscored 17-6 in the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes made big plays late that were needed to beat Notre Dame. Miami has won six consecutive games at home versus Notre Dame. Miami next hosts Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.