11-12-2017, 05:53 AM
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. â The Miami Hurricanes earned the reputation of being a big game team in the 1980s and 90s, but the 2017 Canes looked like some of the legendary UM teams of the past in their dominant 41-8 victory over No. 3 Notre Dame Saturday night.
The No. 7 Hurricanes (9-0, 6-0 ACC) faced the rival Fighting Irish (8-2) in Miami for the first time in nearly three decades and they, along with a loud crowd of 65,303 fans at Hard Rock Stadium, made sure to remind Notre Dame of what it was like to play the Canes in their home stadium.
Miami's win was its sixth consecutive home victory over Notre Dame dating back to 1981. It also extended the Hurricanes' FBS-leading win streak to 14 games. The Canes' last loss came at Notre Dame on Oct. 29, 2016. Miami also clinched the ACC Coastal Division title with Virginia's loss to Louisville earlier in the day.
The hype entering the game surrounded Notre Dame's offensive line that was paving the way for a rushing offense that averaged 324.8 yards per game. But Miami's defense stifled the Fighting Irish ground game, holding Notre Dame to 109 rushing yards. Heisman Trophy candidate Josh Adams, who came in averaging 132.3 rushing yards per game (8.69 yards per carry), was held to 40 yards on 16 carries for an average of 2.5 yards per carry.
Miami's ground attack fared much better, as sophomore Travis Homer exploded for 146 yards on 18 carries, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. As a team, the Canes averaged 5.6 yards per carry against Notre Dame, amassing 237 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 42 touches.
While the running game was outstanding, Miami's offense found the end zone for the first time on Saturday through the air. Senior wide receiver Braxton Berrios laid out to haul in a pass from quarterback Malik Rosier and then tapped both feet in the end zone to make the seven-yard touchdown official and give the Hurricanes a 7-0 lead with 4:01 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Hurricanes broke the turnover chain out on Notre Dame's ensuing drive, as junior safety Jaquan Johnson caught a tipped pass from Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush that was intended for wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown. The interception was Johnson's second in consecutive weeks and third of the season and gave the Hurricanes the ball at the Notre Dame 32.
Rosier opened the possession in Fighting Irish territory by throwing a strike to freshman receiver Jeff Thomas for a 16-yard game. One play later, the redshirt junior quarterback scampered for a 16-yard touchdown run that put Miami ahead, 14-0, with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
After forcing a punt on Notre Dame's next possession, the Hurricanes' offense opened its fourth drive with freshman receiver DeeJay Dallas at quarterback in a wildcat formation. The Georgia native and former high school quarterback ran for 30 yards on the first three plays of the possession, including a 25-yard run that put Miami at Notre Dame's 24. The Fighting Irish held Miami to a 25-yard field goal by Michael Badgley. The senior kicker gave the Canes a 17-0 lead and tied Carlos Huerta's school record for all-time field goals at 73.
Freshman punter Zach Feagles' 51-yard punt rolled out of bounds at the Notre Dame 7. The Fighting Irish had 7:29 on the clock when they opened their possession, but nine seconds later it was Miami's ball.
The turnover chain made its second appearance when Wimbush threw his second interception of the night, hitting Miami corner Malek Young at the Notre Dame 22 and the sophomore corner sprinted 13 yards to give the Canes the ball at the Fighting Irish 9. Four plays after Young's interception, Badgley hit a 30-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 20-0 lead and become Miami's all-time leader in field goals made with 74.
Wimbush was benched following the interception, as Ian Book entered the game at quarterback on Notre Dame's next possession and the sophomore did not fare much better.
Freshman corner Trajan Bandy jumped in front of a Book pass on third-and-6 from the UM 38 and returned the interception 65 yards for a touchdown. The pick six was Miami's first defensive score of the season and gave the Hurricanes a 27-0 lead at halftime.
The Hurricanes held Notre Dame to just 89 yards of total offense in the first half, including 56 yards rushing. Wimbush (2-for-10 for 30 yards) and Book (3-for-6 for 33 yards) combined for 66 passing yards and three interceptions, completing 31 percent of the pass attempts in the first half.
The Fighting Irish became the first Power 5 team to be shut out in the first half by Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami previously held Georgia Tech scoreless in the opening half of its 2007 game at the Orange Bowl.
Miami came out of the locker room ready to play, scoring on its opening drive of the second half. Rosier hit redshirt sophomore receiver Lawrence Cager on fourth-and-9 from the Notre Dame 36 for a 28-yard gain to give Miami a new set of downs from the Notre Dame 8. Three plays later, Dallas rushed for a four-yard touchdown that put the Hurricanes up, 34-0.
Wimbush was back under center for the Fighting Irish to open the second half and he got Notre Dame on the scoreboard with 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter, connecting with tight end Alize Mack for a 14-yard touchdown. The quarterback ran in from two yards out on the ensuing two-point conversion to make it 34-8, Miami.
For the second straight week. Jonathan Garvin forced a strip sack and recovered the fumble for the Canes. The freshman defensive end beat projected first-round pick Mike McGlinchey with a speed rush second-and-10 from the Notre Dame 42 and sacked Wimbush for a loss of seven and fell on the ball at the Notre Dame 30 to secure Miami's fourth turnover of the night. Saturday marked the fourth straight game the Hurricanes defense forced four turnovers.
Following Garvin's fumble recovery, the Canes ran eight straight running plays to find their way to the end zone. Miami's offense covered 30 yards over four minutes and 50 seconds before Dallas ran into the end zone from four yards out to score his second touchdown of the night and give Miami a 41-8 lead with four minutes left in the game.
The Hurricanes finished the game with 374 yards of total offense while holding Notre Dame to 261 total yards. Senior Trent Harris has two of Miami's five sacks on the night, while sophomores Joe Jackson and Zach McCloud each had 1.5 of Miami's nine tackles for loss.
Notre Dame's last trip to Hard Rock Stadium ended in a 42-14 loss to Alabama in BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2013 and their last victory over the Hurricanes in Miami came in 1977.
Miami is back at Hard Rock Stadium next Saturday for a matchup against the Virginia Cavaliers. The game, which is set to kickoff at noon, will serve as Senior Day for the Hurricanes. Click here for ticket information.
http://hurricanesports.com/news/2017/11/...-41-8.aspx
The No. 7 Hurricanes (9-0, 6-0 ACC) faced the rival Fighting Irish (8-2) in Miami for the first time in nearly three decades and they, along with a loud crowd of 65,303 fans at Hard Rock Stadium, made sure to remind Notre Dame of what it was like to play the Canes in their home stadium.
Miami's win was its sixth consecutive home victory over Notre Dame dating back to 1981. It also extended the Hurricanes' FBS-leading win streak to 14 games. The Canes' last loss came at Notre Dame on Oct. 29, 2016. Miami also clinched the ACC Coastal Division title with Virginia's loss to Louisville earlier in the day.
The hype entering the game surrounded Notre Dame's offensive line that was paving the way for a rushing offense that averaged 324.8 yards per game. But Miami's defense stifled the Fighting Irish ground game, holding Notre Dame to 109 rushing yards. Heisman Trophy candidate Josh Adams, who came in averaging 132.3 rushing yards per game (8.69 yards per carry), was held to 40 yards on 16 carries for an average of 2.5 yards per carry.
Miami's ground attack fared much better, as sophomore Travis Homer exploded for 146 yards on 18 carries, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. As a team, the Canes averaged 5.6 yards per carry against Notre Dame, amassing 237 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 42 touches.
While the running game was outstanding, Miami's offense found the end zone for the first time on Saturday through the air. Senior wide receiver Braxton Berrios laid out to haul in a pass from quarterback Malik Rosier and then tapped both feet in the end zone to make the seven-yard touchdown official and give the Hurricanes a 7-0 lead with 4:01 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Hurricanes broke the turnover chain out on Notre Dame's ensuing drive, as junior safety Jaquan Johnson caught a tipped pass from Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush that was intended for wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown. The interception was Johnson's second in consecutive weeks and third of the season and gave the Hurricanes the ball at the Notre Dame 32.
Rosier opened the possession in Fighting Irish territory by throwing a strike to freshman receiver Jeff Thomas for a 16-yard game. One play later, the redshirt junior quarterback scampered for a 16-yard touchdown run that put Miami ahead, 14-0, with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
After forcing a punt on Notre Dame's next possession, the Hurricanes' offense opened its fourth drive with freshman receiver DeeJay Dallas at quarterback in a wildcat formation. The Georgia native and former high school quarterback ran for 30 yards on the first three plays of the possession, including a 25-yard run that put Miami at Notre Dame's 24. The Fighting Irish held Miami to a 25-yard field goal by Michael Badgley. The senior kicker gave the Canes a 17-0 lead and tied Carlos Huerta's school record for all-time field goals at 73.
Freshman punter Zach Feagles' 51-yard punt rolled out of bounds at the Notre Dame 7. The Fighting Irish had 7:29 on the clock when they opened their possession, but nine seconds later it was Miami's ball.
The turnover chain made its second appearance when Wimbush threw his second interception of the night, hitting Miami corner Malek Young at the Notre Dame 22 and the sophomore corner sprinted 13 yards to give the Canes the ball at the Fighting Irish 9. Four plays after Young's interception, Badgley hit a 30-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 20-0 lead and become Miami's all-time leader in field goals made with 74.
Wimbush was benched following the interception, as Ian Book entered the game at quarterback on Notre Dame's next possession and the sophomore did not fare much better.
Freshman corner Trajan Bandy jumped in front of a Book pass on third-and-6 from the UM 38 and returned the interception 65 yards for a touchdown. The pick six was Miami's first defensive score of the season and gave the Hurricanes a 27-0 lead at halftime.
The Hurricanes held Notre Dame to just 89 yards of total offense in the first half, including 56 yards rushing. Wimbush (2-for-10 for 30 yards) and Book (3-for-6 for 33 yards) combined for 66 passing yards and three interceptions, completing 31 percent of the pass attempts in the first half.
The Fighting Irish became the first Power 5 team to be shut out in the first half by Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami previously held Georgia Tech scoreless in the opening half of its 2007 game at the Orange Bowl.
Miami came out of the locker room ready to play, scoring on its opening drive of the second half. Rosier hit redshirt sophomore receiver Lawrence Cager on fourth-and-9 from the Notre Dame 36 for a 28-yard gain to give Miami a new set of downs from the Notre Dame 8. Three plays later, Dallas rushed for a four-yard touchdown that put the Hurricanes up, 34-0.
Wimbush was back under center for the Fighting Irish to open the second half and he got Notre Dame on the scoreboard with 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter, connecting with tight end Alize Mack for a 14-yard touchdown. The quarterback ran in from two yards out on the ensuing two-point conversion to make it 34-8, Miami.
For the second straight week. Jonathan Garvin forced a strip sack and recovered the fumble for the Canes. The freshman defensive end beat projected first-round pick Mike McGlinchey with a speed rush second-and-10 from the Notre Dame 42 and sacked Wimbush for a loss of seven and fell on the ball at the Notre Dame 30 to secure Miami's fourth turnover of the night. Saturday marked the fourth straight game the Hurricanes defense forced four turnovers.
Following Garvin's fumble recovery, the Canes ran eight straight running plays to find their way to the end zone. Miami's offense covered 30 yards over four minutes and 50 seconds before Dallas ran into the end zone from four yards out to score his second touchdown of the night and give Miami a 41-8 lead with four minutes left in the game.
The Hurricanes finished the game with 374 yards of total offense while holding Notre Dame to 261 total yards. Senior Trent Harris has two of Miami's five sacks on the night, while sophomores Joe Jackson and Zach McCloud each had 1.5 of Miami's nine tackles for loss.
Notre Dame's last trip to Hard Rock Stadium ended in a 42-14 loss to Alabama in BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2013 and their last victory over the Hurricanes in Miami came in 1977.
Miami is back at Hard Rock Stadium next Saturday for a matchup against the Virginia Cavaliers. The game, which is set to kickoff at noon, will serve as Senior Day for the Hurricanes. Click here for ticket information.
http://hurricanesports.com/news/2017/11/...-41-8.aspx