Miami gets revenge against Syracuse with style points and trick plays

No. 18 Miami turned a slow start into a showcase game, rolling past Syracuse 38-10 on Saturday with a ton of gadgetry and a defense that slammed the door shut. Quarterback Carson Beck threw a touchdown, caught one, and crossed the 10,000-yard career mark as the Hurricanes avenged last season's loss to the Orange — a defeat that ended Miami's CFP chances last year. 

The Hurricanes (7–2, 3-2 ACC) punted on their first four possessions, then ripped off scores on their next four drives to seize control. Miami finished the half with a flourish as freshman receiver Malachi Toney took a reverse and lofted a 14-yard strike to a wide-open Beck for the game’s first points, and cornerback Keionte Scott jumped a route 23 seconds later for a pick-six and a 14-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, Beck found Keelan Marion for a 61-yard scoring shot that pushed the fifth-year senior past 10,000 career passing yards. Beck finished 18 of 24 for 247 yards with one passing TD and no interceptions; Marion led all receivers with 116 yards.

Miami OC Shannon Dawson then dipped back into his bag once more. Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa caught a backward pass and rumbled three yards for what goes into the books as a rushing touchdown.

Miami lost at Syracuse last year, a setback that cost the Hurricanes a trip to the ACC title game and a chance to make the College Football Playoff. The 38-10 blowout was a way to face the late-season demons that have haunted the program in recent memory.

The Hurricanes were without running back Mark Fletcher Jr., wideout C.J. Daniels, corner O.J. Frederique and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten, among others — but the depth answered the call. True freshman Girard Pringle Jr. paced the ground game with 55 yards and a score; CharMar Brown added 40 rushing yards as Miami leaned on Syracuse. The Hurricanes' defensive unit sacked Syracuse seven times and limited the Orange to 124 passing yards. Jakobe Thomas has one INT and one fumble recovery.

Syracuse (3-7, 1-6) has now dropped six straight, its longest skid since 2020. QB Rickie Collins went 12 of 25 for 85 yards with two interceptions, and the Orange managed a lone field goal through three quarters before tacking on a late touchdown.

The Hurricanes host N.C. State next Saturday and now sit at 7-2 for the season.