In a game packed with high drama and playoff implications, Syracuse orchestrated a stunning comeback to defeat No. 6 Miami, 42-38, in their Week 14 ACC matchup. The victory ended Miami’s hopes of reaching the ACC title game and dealt a severe blow to the Hurricanes’ College Football Playoff aspirations.
The game looked like a potential rout early, as Miami (10-2, 6-2 ACC) stormed to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns, while Mark Fletcher Jr. added two short rushing scores. The Hurricanes dominated the opening period, outgaining Syracuse 189-42, and appeared poised for an easy win.
But Syracuse (9-3, 5-3 ACC) had other plans. Behind the steady leadership of quarterback Kyle McCord, the Orange clawed their way back into contention. McCord, who finished with 380 yards passing and three touchdowns, engineered two second-quarter scoring drives. Running back LeQuint Allen’s 8-yard touchdown run and McCord’s 9-yard strike to Jackson Meeks trimmed the deficit to 21-14 by halftime.
The second half turned into a shootout, with both teams trading touchdowns. McCord connected with Trebor Pena for a 25-yard score to tie the game at 21 early in the third quarter. Miami quickly responded, with Fletcher punching in another 2-yard touchdown to retake the lead.
McCord and Meeks, a dynamic duo all season, continued their strong connection, hooking up for another 9-yard touchdown to knot the score at 28. Then came a game-changing defensive play: Syracuse linebacker Devin Grant forced a fumble from Miami’s Xavier Restrepo and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown, giving the Orange their first lead at 35-28 late in the third quarter.
Though Miami quickly answered with a 2-yard touchdown run from Damien Martinez to tie the game again, Syracuse refused to back down. Allen capped a pivotal drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, giving the Orange a 42-35 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
With under four minutes to play, Miami had a chance to tie or take the lead. However, head coach Mario Cristobal opted for a conservative approach, settling for a field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 10-yard line to make it 42-38. Syracuse’s offense then ran out the clock with a steady ground attack, highlighted by two critical first-down runs from Allen and an offside penalty on Miami.
McCord’s stellar outing was historic. He became the first Syracuse quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season and set a single-season program record with 27 touchdown passes. Meeks and Pena were equally impressive, combining for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Allen, a dual-threat out of the backfield, tallied 143 yards from scrimmage and two scores.
For Miami, Restrepo and Jacolby George led the receiving corps, combining for 269 yards. But turnovers and missed opportunities ultimately doomed the Hurricanes.
With the loss, Miami will watch from the sidelines as Clemson and SMU face off in the ACC Championship. The Hurricanes will now await their postseason fate, likely vying for an at-large berth in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Syracuse, meanwhile, closes out its regular season with its third win over a ranked opponent, bolstering its bowl resume. The Orange will await their bowl destination, riding high after a statement victory that cemented their place as one of the ACC’s most resilient teams this season.
This stunning upset marks a defining moment for Syracuse and a potential turning point for Miami as the college football postseason looms.
