Miami collapses after taking big lead losing to Syracuse and out of ACC title game

Miami took a 21-0 lead with 12:57 left in the second quarter and was outscored 42-17 the rest of the game in a 42-38 loss at Syracuse on Saturday. The Syracuse win put Clemson in the ACC Championship game, knocked Miami out and likely eliminated the Hurricanes from the College Football Playoff.

Miami was in a position to tie the game late, but an inexplicable personal foul penalty on Jacolby George on second and goal from the eight pushed Miami back 15 yards. Mario Cristobal questionably chose to kick a field goal after Miami got back to the 10 on fourth down.

Andres Borregales made a 27-yard field goal with 3:42 left to cut the deficit to 42-38. Syracuse went on a eight play 41 yard drive to end the game after the Miami field goal. After falling behind 21-0, Syracuse scored touchdowns on five of its next seven drives. The other two were a lost fumble and a punt.

The game changing play came on the next Miami drive after recovering the Syracuse fumble. Four plays after the Syracuse fumble, the Orange returned a Miami fumble 54 yards for a TD to give them their first lead of the game 35-28, Miami scored on the next drive to tie the game, but Syracuse answered and never trailed again.

Cam Ward threw for 349 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in what could be his final game for Miami. Xavier Restrepo had nine receptions for 148 yards and a TD and George had six for 121. Damien Martinez led Miami with 10 carries for 84 yards and a TD. Martinez also had a 55 yard run called back on a questionable holding call.

Miami now has to wait until December 8 to find out its College Football Playoff fate which has all but evaporated. Miami finishes the regular season 10-2 overall and 6-2 in the ACC. Clemson who is 9-3 and 7-1 will play 11-1, 8-0 SMU in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte next week.