Forcing first half South Florida field goal attempts critical in Miami win
Miami forcing South Florida into field goal attempts on four of its first five drives on Saturday night was critical in the outcome of the game. South Florida converted seven third downs in 17 attempts on Saturday night against Miami who ranked first nationally entering week four.
On their first third down of the game, the Miami defense held South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown to a two-yard gain on third and 12. That forced a 58-yard field goal attempt, that Nico Gramatica made to cut the Miami lead to 7-0. South Florida got their only touchdown of the game on the next possession after a Miami interception.
After a second Miami touchdown gave the Hurricanes the lead, South Florida had a chance on their next two scoring drives to start to pull away. South Florida went seven plays, 42 yards in 2:33 including a third down conversion. Miami stopped South Florida on their second third down attempt of the drive.
On fourth and three from the Miami 33 yardline, South Florida settled for a 51-yard Gramatica field goal to cut the Miami lead to 14-12. After forcing a Miami punt, South Florida had a 19 play, 66-yard drive over 8:30. South Florida converted two third downs and a fourth down to continue their drive.
On fourth and goal from the Miami 27, South Florida had to settle for a John Cannon 45 yard field goal to regain the lead 15-14. After getting to the Miami eight with the potential of stretching the lead to six points,, South Florida had to be disappointed with settling for another field goal.
Cam Ward connected with Sam Brown on a 76-yard touchdown pass on the second play of Miami's drive following South Florida taking the lead. The Bulls' final lead lasted 40 seconds. South Florida drove seven plays for 62 yards in 1:38 to the Miami eight-yard line. On fourth and six from the Miami 13, Cannon missed a 31 yard FG.
Miami had the momentum entering halftime and shut out South Florida for the remainder of the game. If South Florida had finished off their first half drives, they potentially could have had the lead at halftime. South Florida drove to the Miami 13 trailing 36-15 early in the fourth quarter.
Next. Miami won game over South Florida with long scoring drives. Miami won game over South Florida with long scoring drives. dark
Backup quarterback Bryce Archie threw an interception and South Florida never got close the remainder of the game. South Florida finished two of four in the red zone with the one TD The three made FGs by South Florida occurred outside the red zone. Holding South Florida to field goal attempts instead of TDs helped Miami win.