South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Harley heroics save game for ’Canes
WR scores late TD, continues shining in breakthrough season
RALEIGH, N.C. — When Michael Harley scored the game-winning 54-yard touchdown with 2 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the Miami Hurricanes’ 44- 41 victory at N.C. State on Friday night, the senior receiver went straight to the ground in what was a cathartic moment for him.
Knowing what Harley felt earlier in his college career, one could understand from where those emotions stemmed after he caught a short slant, broke free from a defender who made him stumble, regained his balance and sprinted to the end zone for the go-ahead score.
Following Friday night’s thrilling win, Harley revealed he once wanted to quit football.
“Me being here for four years, it’s been a long journey, a long road,” Harley said. “I came to a point where I wanted to quit and wanted to give up. I’ve just been working hard ever since, and I never gave up.
“Coaches always kept me on my feet. My brothers kept me on my feet. They told me to keep pushing, and I just kept working hard untilmy namewas called.
“Everything came into the light. Hardwork pays off.”
As seasons came and went, the former All-America speedster out of St. Thomas Aquinas had yet to have his breakout moment in college, despite his best efforts behind the scenes.
Against N.C. State, Harley had eight catches for 153 yards and two
Trask and the Gators took advantage, burning Georgia repeatedly with wheel routes while overcoming a 14-0deficit.
Once Trask and Florida got going, the Bulldogs did little to stop them. The Gators scored on eight of nine possessions after a three-and-out to open the game and finished with 572 yards.
Trask deserved the biggest cheers. And had it not been for a Pick-6 in which a freshman receiver appeared to run the wrong route, he would have been close to perfect.
The only question that remained going into the fourth quarter was whether Florida would top 50 points for the third time in series lore.
Georgia had several chances to make it a one-possession game, but D’Wan Mathis kept overthrowing open receivers.
Mathis, who started the season opener, replaced Stetson Bennett in the third quarter.
Bennett left the game briefly in the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury and was ineffective after returning. He completed 5 of 16 passes for 78 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.
Bennett was without his top target, George Pickens (upper body), and lost Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint to an apparent broken right leg on a 32-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.
Replays showed the severity of Rosemy-Jacksaint’s injury as team trainers rushed to the end zone and quickly got an air cast on his leg.
Hewas carted into the tunnel amid a standing ovation. Florida safety Brad Stewart hit Rosemy-Jacksaint just before he crossed the goal line.
The Dawgs led 14-0 after the freshman’s first TD reception. Zamir White scored on the game’s first play from scrimmage, going untouched for 75 yards.
It looked like it would be a Georgia rout.
It ended being Florida’s night to celebrate.