Miami breaks through at No. 20 Virginia’s expense
N’Kosi Perry threw for a touchdown on the open- ing drive and ran for another with 2:31 remaining, and Miami knocked off No. 20 Virginia 17-9 on Friday night.
Deejay Dallas caught the touchdown pass for Mi- ami (3-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), plus rushed for 63 yards on 13 carries. Pat Bethel blocked a field goal for Miami and K.J. Osborn caught four passes for 60 yards.
Perry finished 16 of 27 for 182 yards. The win kept the Hurricanes from falling to 0-3 in conference play — any conference — for what would have been the first time in school history.
Bryce Perkins connected on his first nine passes and finished 24 for 41 for 244 yards for Virginia (4-2, 2-1). The Cavaliers entered ranked, yet were still 2½ point underdogs at kickoff.
And apparently, those oddsmakers saw this coming.
Brian Delaney made three field goals for the Cavaliers, who were looking for their first 3-0 start since 2007. They’re now tied with North Carolina for first place in the Coastal Division.
WIN AT NOTRE DAME WOULD
DO WONDERS FOR HELTON >> Brian Kelly of No. 9 Notre Dame knows a little how his USC counterpart Clay Helton might feel as their teams prepare for their 91st meeting tonight in South Bend.
“What was the over-under that I’d make 10 USC games?” the Fighting Irish coach joked about whispers of his job security despite two 12-0 regular seasons, a trip to the national championship game in 2013 and a playoff berth last season.
The coaching seat always seems warm at these two storied programs and, at the moment, it’s Helton’s turn. His unranked Trojans (3-2) would get a huge boost with a win against Notre Dame (4-1), which is a 10½-point favorite.
The 47-year-old Helton, who is 35-19 with 12 victories over Top 25 teams since being named coach in 2015, received a vote of confidence of sorts from interim athletic director Dave Roberts, who told the Los Angeles Times he would leave Helton’s fate in the hands of his successor.
“If he has a successful season,” Roberts said, “I think he’ll be in good stead.”
Helton is 1-3 against Notre Dame and Kelly is 6-3 against USC. While Helton has gone about the business of bringing the Trojans through a bye week following their 28-14 loss at Washington, Notre Dame is coming off convincing victories over Virginia 35-20 and Bowling Green 52-0.
HEISMAN SHOWDOWN? >> It might not be all that important to them at the moment, but Heisman Trophy positioning will also be at stake when Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts and Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger face off at the Cotton Bowl.
Hurts has been impressive since transferring from Alabama, leading the nation in passing efficiency and all quarterbacks with 99.8 yards rushing per game. Ehlinger could increase his visibility significantly with a win and a strong performance. He ranks 14th nationally in passer efficiency and is tied for fifth in touchdown passes with 17. He also has 236 yards and three TDs rushing.