U’s rally perfectly good
The undefeated season was slipping away, and so was any realistic chance Miami had of getting into the College Football Playoff and competing for a national championship.
That is, until seven seconds changed everything.
Just like that, a 14-point
TOP 25 FOOTBALL
deficit was gone — and perfection remains within the Hurricanes’ reach.
Malik Rosier threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, and No. 2 Miami pulled off the comeback against Virginia, 44-28, yesterday in Miami Gardens, Fla., to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 15.
Jaquan Johnson had an interception return for a touchdown for Miami (10-0, 7-0 ACC, No. 3 CFP), which scored the game’s last 30 points. The Hurricanes twice climbed out of twotouchdown-deep holes and snapped a 15-game skid in games where it faced deficits of 14 points or more.
Kurt Benkert was brilliant for Virginia (6-5, 3-4), completing 28-of-37 passes for 384 yards and four scores.
Johnson’s fourth interception of the season became a 30-yard return for a score. It was Miami’s second touchdown in seven seconds after Lawrence Cager hauled in a 9-yard scoring pass from Rosier, and the Hurricanes left no doubt the rest of the way. Rosier and Travis Homer added late TD runs.
The Turnover Chain sparked Miami. Down 14-7 in the second quarter, Homer recovered a punt that Virginia muffed — making him the first offensive player to wear Miami’s famed piece of jewelry. He barely had the bling on before the Hurricanes tied it on a 36-yard TD catch by Dayall Harris.
Alabama 56, Mercer 0 — In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jalen Hurts passed for 180 yards and three touchdowns in a little more than a quarter, freshman backup Tua Tagovailoa also threw for three scores before departing early in the fourth quarter and the top-ranked Crimson Tide (11-0, No. 1 CFP) outclassed the FCS-based Bears (5-6), a lower-division foe that was playing way out of its league.
Oklahoma 41, Kansas 3 — In Lawrence, Kan., Baker Mayfield threw for 257 yards and three scores and got into it with the opposing fans, and the No. 3 Sooners (10-1, 7-1 Big 12, No. 4 CFP) scored the lopsided win against the Jayhawks (1-10, 0-8).
Clemson 61, Citadel 3 — In Clemson, S.C., Kelly Bryant threw for 230 yards and three scores before halftime, and freshman Tee Higgins caught six passes for 178 yards, as the No. 4 Tigers (10-1, No. 2 CFP) comfortably remained in the playoff race by hammering the FCS’ Bulldogs (5-6).
Wisconsin 24, Michigan 10 — In Madison, Wis., Alex Hornibrook’s 24-yard touchdown pass broke open a defensive slugfest, Kendric Pryor scored on an end-around and the unbeaten No. 5 Badgers (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten, No. 5 CFP) wore down the No. 19 Wolverines (8-3, 5-3).
Auburn 42, La.-Monroe 14 — In Auburn, Ala., Darius Slayton’s 50-yard TD reception late in the first half gave the No. 6 Tigers (9-2, No. 6 CFP) the lead for good in a victory against the Warhawks (4-6) to set up next week’s visit from No. 1 Alabama.
Georgia 42, Kentucky 13 — In Athens, Ga., Nick Chubb ran for 151 and two touchdowns, including a 55-yarder, Sony Michel had three rushing scores and the No. 7 Bulldogs (10-1, 7-1 SEC, No. 7 CFP) rallied from a loss to top the Wildcats (7-4, 4-4).
Ohio St. 52, Illinois 14 — In Columbus, Ohio, the No. 8 Buckeyes (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten) scored on their first six possessions, including J.T. Barrett’s 100th career touchdown pass, and clinched a spot in the conference championship game with the rout of the Illini (2-9, 0-9).
Notre Dame 24, Navy 17 — In South Bend, Ind., Brandon Wimbush threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score as the No. 9 Fighting Irish (9-2) rallied in the rain and wind to keep their slim playoff hopes alive by beating the Midshipmen (6-4).
Kansas St. 45, Oklahoma St. 40 — In Stillwater, Okla., Byron Pringle caught three touchdown passes and returned a kickoff for a score as the Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 Big 12) beat the No. 10 Cowboys (8-3, 5-3), who nearly erased a 29-point deficit.
TCU 27, Texas Tech 3 — In Lubbock, Texas, freshman quarterback Shawn Robinson ran for 84 yards and threw for a key TD in his first start as the No. 11 Horned Frogs (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) beat the Red Raiders (5-6, 2-6).
USC 28, UCLA 23 — In Los Angeles, Sam Darnold passed for 264 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another, and the No. 12 Trojans (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12) notched a fourth consecutive victory against the Bruins (5-6, 3-5).
Penn St. 56, Nebraska 44 — In State College, Pa., Saquon Barkley had 208 of his 224 total yards in the first half and scored three touchdowns to power the No. 13 Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) by the Cornhuskers (4-7, 3-5).
C. Florida 45, Temple 19 — In Philadelphia, McKenzie Milton threw four touchdown passes and ran for a score as the No. 14 Knights (10-0, 7-0 American) routed the Owls (5-6, 3-4) ahead of a showdown with conference rival South Florida.
Mississippi St. 28, Arkansas 21 — In Fayetteville, Ark., Nick Fitzgerald threw a 6-yard touchdown pass with 17 second left, and the No. 17 Bulldogs (8-3, 4-3 SEC) survived four fumbles to down the Razorbacks (4-7, 1-6).
Memphis 66, SMU 45 —
Darrell Henderson ran for 147 yards, with two touchdowns, and Riley Ferguson threw for 320 yards and two scores as the host No. 18 Tigers (9-1, 6-1 American) tamed the Mustangs (6-4, 3-4).
Stanford 17, California 14 — In Palo Alto, Calif., Bryce Love ran for a TD, K.J. Costello threw for one and Ben Edwards made a key interception, helping the No. 20 Cardinal (8-3, 7-2 Pac-12) by the Bears (5-6, 2-6).
LSU 30, Tennessee 10 —
In Knoxville, Tenn., Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams combined for 165 rushing yards and three scores and the No. 21 Tigers (8-3, 5-2 SEC) stormed past the Vols (4-7, 0-7).
Michigan St. 17, Maryland 7 — In East Lansing, Mich., LJ Scott ran for 147 yards and a score to lead the No. 22 Spartans (8-3, 6-2 Big Ten) to the win over the Terps (4-7, 2-6) .
Texas 28, W. Virginia 14 — In Morgantown, W. Va., Sam Ehlinger threw two TD passes and the Longhorns (65, 5-3 Big 12) beat the No. 24 Mountaineers (7-4, 5-3).
Wake Forest 30, NC State 24 — In Winston-Salem, N.C., John Wolford recorded three touchdowns and the Demon Deacons (7-4, 4-3 ACC) knocked off the No. 25 Wolfpack (7-4, 5-2).