BY SCOTT MORGANROTH
After watching some of the College Football Playoff Games, there is no doubt the Miami Hurricanes could have put on a good show.
Unfortunately for Miami, the Canes lost two out of the last three ACC Games, thus failed to make it to the ACC Championship Game against SMU. It’s one thing to lose games, but when you lose to unranked opponents that will do nothing to impress the College Football Playoff Committee, which judges by strength of schedule.
When Miami lost to Georgia Tech in Atlanta, November 9, 2024, the Canes took a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. But Georgia Tech put sevens on the board during the next three quarters to emerge with a 28-23 win and handed Miami its first loss of the season.
After a bye week, Wake Forest came to town and Miami redeemed itself with a 42-14 win over the Demon Decons. The Canes stayed in the playoff discussion.
It all came down to a road trip to the Syracuse Orange on November 30 in upstate New York playing at the Carrier Dome. There would be no elements to play a factor in the contest.
Miami jumped out to a 21-0 and the Canes seemed like they were cruising towards the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte. I was actually preparing to cover this game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
But there was one person that prevented that from happening. It was Syracuse QB Kyle McCord, who transferred from Ohio State after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan in 2023. Buckeyes fans used him as a scapegoat in a loss to Michigan and he bolted to Syracuse.
McCord put on a show against Miami as he was 26/36 for 380 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. His main weapon was running back LeQuint Allen, who had 22 carries for 82 yards and scored two touchdowns.
His favorite targets were wide receivers Trebor Peña who caught six passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Meeks had seven receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Miami’s Cam Ward had an excellent contest as he was 26/36 for 349 yards with two touchdowns.
RB Damien Martinez had 10 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown, Mark Fletcher rushed 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo played in what turned out to be in his final game and he caught nine passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. Jacolby George had six catches for 212 yards and Elijah Arroyo has five receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown.
When it was all said and done, Syracuse pulled off the 42-38 upset and Miami found itself just waiting for its Bowl Game.
Amazingly enough, I saw the Orange get crushed by the University of South Florida 45-0 in the Boca Raton Bowl 45-0 so this program has come a long way. Both Miami and Syracuse finished with 10-3 records.
The Hurricanes were invited to the Pop Tarts Bowl on December 28, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Outside of the College Football Playoff, this looked like one of the best Bowl matchups.
Both teams entered the game with 10-2 records. This would be the first meeting over between these two squads for whom both felt they belonged in the playoffs.
During the first media availability, I asked both coaches whether they could schedule each other down the road.
Miami’s Mario Cristobal and ISU’s Matt Campbell were open-minded to the idea and even laughed about it. You’re going to see that in the video.
Restrepo didn’t play in this game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
This game was billed as “The Battle of the Storms” Cyclones vs Hurricanes.” Judging by these two teams respective offenses, this title was appropriate.
The over/under on this game was 61.5 and Iowa State ranked fifth in the country in total yards with 422.1 per game. Meanwhile, Miami was ranked first in the country amassing 550.7 per game.
Miami played this game without WR Isiah Horton, who entered the transfer portal.
The first quarter was entertaining as Iowa State jumped out to a 21-14 lead, as QB Rocco Becht was 6-9 for 87 yards and a touchdown. Greg Burkle caught the touchdown pass. RB Carson Hanson rushed for two touchdowns.
Miami scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 31-28 lead at halftime. Ward threw a pair of touchdowns. One was to Elijah Arroyo while the other went to Joshisa Trader.
At halftime, Miami outgained Iowa State 358-267 total yards.
Ward threw 12 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Martinez looked great on the ground by amassing 179 yards on seven attempts and a touchdown.
Becht, held his own in the first game by going 14-22, with 180 yards and two touchdowns.
What we would see in the second half is what defines today’s college football?
Ward didn’t play in the second half and was replaced by Emory Williams.
This move caught all of us off guard.
I heard reports on the field that there were two New York Giants scouts and they asked Ward to play in the first half.
After the Game, Coach Cristobal chose to not give an explanation about this decision,
The Cyclones took advantage of the Wardless Hurricanes by outscoring Miami 14-10 and won the contest 42-21. Becht finished the contest going 22-35 for 270 yards and tossed three touchdowns, Once again, for Miami, Martinez wound up with 179 yards.
Miami had 524 total yards and Iowa State had 415, but the only thing that mattered was the result on the scoreboard.
Since the Pop Tarts Bowl ended, Jcoolby George and Damian Martinez decided to enter the NFL Draft.
Hurricanes defensive coordinator Lance Guidry was fired.
Cristobal said “I want to first thank Coach Guidry for his contributions to the University of Miami,” Cristobal said. “In a continuous effort to always improve all aspects of our program, I have decided to make a change on defense. We will move forward and make decisions that provide our players, staff and program the best opportunity to win and develop at the highest level.”
During the second half of the contest, Cristobal had to find out what he has in Williams. He struggled as he was 5-14, 26 yards and an interception.
I can only imagine how differently this game would have turned out had Ward played all of it.
But welcome to the new era of college football where the transfer portal can cripple a team during Bowl Season. There is no question that this system needs to get fixed.
The Hurricanes have hired Corey Hetherman, who was the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Golden Gophers last season.
Another update, Iowa State Head Coach Matt Campbell is a candidate for the Chicago Bears head coaching vacancy.
Scott Morganroth can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow him on “X” @TribuneSouth. You can find his broadcasts by subscribing to the South Florida Tribune You Tube Channel.
