Miami took a 31-17 lead early in the second half at Louisville. The Cardinals tied the game with a 100-yard kickoff return followed by a 21-yard TD pass 1:07 later after a Miami turnover. Miami forced a Louisville punt in the fourth quarter and the stop made the difference in the game.
As it was versus Virginia Tech, Miami dominated the third quarter in terms of yards out gaining Louisville 151 to 69. The kickoff return TD made those numbers misleading. Miami and Louisville each scored 14 points in the third quarter. Miami took the lead permanently on an Ajay Allen TD run and Damian Martinez extended it.
Cam Ward and Miami's offense took off in the second half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NN6grzWFVu
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 2, 2024
Louisville scored with under a minute left, but Miami recovered the onside kick and held on. Miami was in control throughout the game and didn't need a dominant fourth quarter to beat Florida State. Miami has continually made plays throughout games in the second half when they needed to earn wins.
Miami entered week 10 sixth nationally averaging 11.0 points per game in the third quarter and first posting 15.1 in the fourth. Both of those numbers will improve after Saturday. Miami is also first averaging 26.1 PPG in the second half. There are 51 teams nationally averaging 26.1 points or less per game.