Berkley, CA.- What a game.
Trust. Grit. Determination. That’s what was on display for the world to see.
Tonight (October 5-6), the #8 University of Miami faced off against California in a game that will be told for the ages.
Both teams began the game on a high note, as Miami drove down the field, carried by the legs of Mark Fletcher and Damien Martinez . The drive concluded on a positive as Fletcher punched in a 3 yard scoring run.
Cal.’s offense matched that score on a beautiful fake screen, allowing Fernando Mendoza connect with a wide open Jack Endires for a 57 yard touchdown pass.
The Golden Bears extended their lead over the Hurricanes on a drive that was capped off with a 5 yard rushing touchdown from star running back, Jaydn Ott. The fun didn’t conclude there for Cal., as Mendoza hit Ott for a 66 yard receiving touchdown.
After an Andy Borregales 46 yard field goal, the Hurricanes found themselves in unfamiliar territory down 21-10 entering halftime.
Unlike last week’s halftime turn around, things didn’t get any easier this time around. The deficit dug itself deeper as Cam Ward threw an ugly 40 yard interception touchdown to Cal.’s Nohl Williams. Williams’ interception tonight spotted him as the nations leading pick-grabber, with 5 on the season already.
Things went from bad to worse as Cal.’s wildcat QB Chandler Rodgers found the right read on an option, scampering in for a 9 yard score. With 8:06 remaining in the third quarter, the Hurricanes found themselves at a 25 point deficit, trailing 35-10.
The comeback began as with less then three minutes remaining in the third, Damien Martinez fought for a 1 yard rushing score, and then Cam Ward found Xavier Restrepo for convert the two-point try.
At the top of the fourth, Cal strengthened their lead as Ryan Coe drained a 37 yard field goal.
Like most Saturday nights down in Miami, the action doesn’t begin until well after midnight. The ‘Canes brought that energy to Berkley, as the offensive onslaught began.
With just under ten and a half minutes remaining in the game, Cam Ward magic began, as he willed his team down the field. This drive concluded with a beautiful 18 yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton. Ward perfectly led his receiver down field, fitting this ball where only Horton could grab it.
After a defensive stop on the next drive, Miami’s offense found themselves back on the field. The ‘Canes drove to just outside the redzone where Cam Ward kept it himself, weaving untouched for a 24 yard rushing score.
Miami’s defense once again forced a stop, and the Golden Bears elected to punt, pinning Miami inside their own ten. This is where the magic of Cam Ward began. Throughout the game, Cam Ward was just off on his deep ball timing, barely missing the connection with his receiver.
When the game stood tall, Ward stood taller, floating a pass to Xavier Restrepo 25 yards in the air, and then the speedy wideout RAC’ed up 45 more after catch, placing the ‘Canes in the redzone with a minute twenty remaining in the game.
Down six and under a minute remaining, Miami found themselves inside the five due to a beautiful screen pass from Ward to Martinez. With just over thirty seconds remaining, Ward shoveled a beautiful goal line pass to Elijah Arroyo, who stretched out for the go-ahead score.
Cal’s offense regained the field, down one and twenty five seconds remaining. Miami’s front seven did its job, pressuring Mendoza, allowing for the secondary to break up the plays.
On the final play of the game, Mendoza drops back, scans the field, throws over the middle where the ball was INTERCEPTED by star linebacker Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa, sealing the Hurricanes’ improbable victory.
As the offense trots back to the field, Ward kneels the ball and the comeback is complete. Tonight’s 25 point comeback was the largest Miami resurgence since 2003. The ‘Canes stand tall as one of the few 6-0 teams to begin the season.
Midway through the third quarter, analytics stated that Miami had a .6% chance of victory. The biggest factor of the Hurricanes’ comeback was the outstanding, record breaking performance of Xavier Restrepo.
For those that didn’t know, Xavier Restrepo has been eyeing greatness since the beginning of the season. Entering tonight’s matchup, Restrepo has 2,139 career receiving yards, placing him at 9th in program history. Following a 7 catch, 163 yard day, X now stands at 2,303 yards, marking him at 4th all time.
You may be asking: “Who are the three guys ahead of Restrepo?” Well, it’s Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne (NFL HOF) and Micheal Irvin (NFL HOF). Not a bad group to be associated with.
Miami will now travel home to Coral Gables victorious, standing at 6-0 on the year. In a weekend full of upsets atop the Top 25 Poll, expect a jump in the power rankings.
The Hurricanes will enjoy a much needed bye week, as preparation for rival Louisville begins in the coming days.
