Miami stages epic comeback to beat California

Miami staged one of the greatest comebacks in the long storied history of the program on Saturday night at California. Trailing 35-10 Cam Ward completed 19 passes in 26 attempts for 288 yards (play-by-play announcer Joe Zagacki) in the remainder of the game for a 39-38 Miami win.

Miami scored touchdowns on the final four drives of the game before a kneel-down on the final play. The last drive of the game will be remembered forever in Miami lore. After California pinned Miami on their own eight, Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo connected for 77 yards to put Miami in the red zone.

Seven plays after Restrepo's heroics, Ward threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arroyo with 23 seconds remaining to tie the game at 38. Andy Borregales made the extra point to put Miami to provide the winning margin 39-38. After three straight incompletions, Francisco Mauigoa got an interception on fourth down to win the game.

Miami fans experienced a what did I just see game for the second straight week. The cardiac Hurricanes pulled off an improbable win. Miami outgained California 575-370 for the game and an astounding 278-26 in the fourth quarter. The Miami defense was fairly maligned on social media for the first three quarters.

The defense allowed seven plays of 20 or more yards and four of 50 plus before they dominated California in the fourth quarter. California entered the game 100th nationally with six plays of 20 or more yards and 68th with two plays of 50 or more yards. California routinely had huge plays for the first 2.5 quarters.

Ward was brilliant after some inexplicable plays for the first three quarters. After forcing a three and out on the first series of the second half, Ward threw a pick-six while attempting to throw across the field that gave Cal a 28-10 lead. After forcing a Miami punt, Cal went five plays, 80 yards in 2:12 to give the Golden Bears a 35-10 lead.

Miami dominated from that point forward. The Hurricanes went 12 plays, 75 yards in 5:04 that culminated with a Damian Martinez one-yard run. Xavier Restrepo caught the two-point conversion from Ward to pull Miami within 35-18. Cal answered with an eight-play, 55 yards in 3:49 and kicked a field goal to extend the lead to 38-18.

California had 13 plays for 29 yards on their last three drives. After the field goal extended the lead to three TDs, Miami had 26 plays for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Ward finished 35-53 for 437 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception with six carries for 15 yards and a huge fourth-quarter TD.

Xavier Restrepo finished with seven receptions for 163 yards and Isaiah Horton had nine receptions for 83 yards and a big fourth-quarter score while leading Miami with 10 targets. Mark Fletcher led Miami with 11 carries for 81 yards and a TD on Miami's first drive of the game.

After a bye week, Miami has a key ACC game at Louisville on October 19. Miami can basically eliminate Louisville from the ACC race. SMU beat Louisville 34-27 in a game that featured multiple former Hurricanes on both sides. Clemson leads the ACC at 3-0, Miami, SMU and Virginia are tied for second at 2-0.