Miami overcame record tying worst 3-game defensive stretch in program history

Miami allowed at least 34 points in three consecutive games for the fifth time in program history per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. Opponents previously scored 34 points in three straight games versus Miami in 1944, 1952, 1984 and 2013. Miami lost all three of those games each of the first four times.

Quarterback Cam Ward continues to lead Miami as the Hurricanes set various records. Miami not only became the only team in program history to win a game while allowing 34 or more points in three consecutive contests, but the Hurricanes emerged victorious in all three games.

The Hurricanes have given up at least 34 points in three straight games, the first time any Miami team has done that since November 2013. Miami finished 1-7-1 in 1944. The Hurricanes were outscored 166-35 in the final three games in 1944. Miami lost 38-19 to Auburn, 48-2 to Tulsa and 70-14 to Texas A&M.

Miami also finished the 1952 season allowing at least 34 points in three consecutive games to finish 4-7. Florida beat Miami 43-6, followed by a 34-6 loss to North Carolina and a 35-13 defeat to Georgia. The 112-26 margin over the final three games of 1952 was at least an improvement over 1944.

Miami also allowed at least 34 points in the final three games in 1984. That was the first year with Jimmy Johnson as head coach. The first two games of Miami finishing the season with three consecutive games allowing at least 34 points were two of the most infamous games in Miami history.

The first of those games was a 42-40 loss to Maryland led by future NFL quarterback Frank Reich. Maryland and Reich rallied after trailing 31-0 in what was then the largest comeback in college football history. Miami lost the second game of that streak 47-45 to Boston College on the Doug Flutie Hail Mary.

Miami finished the season with a 39-37 loss to UCLA in the Fiesta Bowl. After leading Miami to an 8-2 start in his inaugural season, the Hurricanes collapsed and finished 8-5. In his final four seasons with Miami, Johnson led the Hurricanes to a 44-4 record and the 1987 National Championship.

Miami started 7-0 in their second season under Al Golden in 2013. The Hurricanes collapsed defensively after the 7-0 start. Miami lost 41-14 to Florida State, 42-24 to Virginia Tech and 41-31 to Duke to go from seventh nationally to completely out of the rankings in three weeks. Miami finished the 2013 season 9-4.

The Miami wins in their last three games have been well documented. Miami beat Virginia Tech 38-34 after Hail Mary on the final play was overturned, rallied from a 35-10 third-quarter deficit to beat California and outlasted Louisville 52-45 on the road last week.

Miami finishes the 2024 season versus Florida State, Duke, at Georgia Tech, against Wake Forest and at Pittsburgh. The Miami defense has a chance to remedy itself against some bad offenses beginning with Florida State. Miami has to emerge defensively if it is going to make a serious run in the College Football Playoff.