Hurricanes are pushed again but hang on

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Travis Homer’s 33-yard touchdown run with 2 minutes 48 seconds left helped No. 8 Miami hold off Syracuse 27-19 on Saturday.

The Hurricanes (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won 11 consecutive games, their longest streak since winning 34 games in a row from 2000 to 2002. Miami has won its first four ACC games for the first time since joining conference in 2004.

“Well, we found another way to make it really exciting,” coach Mark Richt said. “Part of the reason was Syracuse is a really good football team. We, for some reason, can’t find a way to play really good on both sides of the ball at the same time.”

The Hurricanes needed last-second plays to beat Florida State and Georgia Tech. This one had intrigue remaining until Syracuse turned the ball over on downs near midfield with 1:31 left.

Malik Rosier threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns for Miami, Christopher Herndon had a careerbest 10 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, and Jeff Thomas caught a 48-yard touchdown pass.

“It’s always a good feeling to win,” Homer said. “But seeing your team stay strong and pull through, it’s the best.”

Cole Murphy had four field goals for Syracuse (4-4, 2-2), including a career-best 53-yard kick with 5:23 left to get the Orange within 20-19. But Miami answered with a nine-play, 85-yard drive capped by Homer’s touchdown run that helped the Hurricanes escape.

Syracuse’s Eric Dungey had four passes intercepted, all in the first half, and was 13 of 41 for 137 yards.

“It’s just, it’s hard to swallow when you don’t win,” coach Dino Babers said. “We’re 4-4, we’ve got the toughest schedule in the country and we’re 4-4. And guess what. We’ve got two more on the road and two more at home in the loud house and I guarantee you we’re going to be ready to play those four games.”