Dallas, Tx— SMU handed Miami its second loss of the season on Saturday night, pulling off a 26 to 20 overtime win in Dallas. The matchup carried emotional weight and playoff implications, but in the end, SMU played with more discipline and finished stronger.
Miami opened fast. Quarterback Carson Beck led an efficient first drive, connecting with Joshisa “JoJo” Trader on a 36-yard touchdown that put the Hurricanes in control early. The offense moved the ball well and the defense held firm through most of the first half, setting the tone for what looked like another Miami statement win.
That momentum did not last. The Hurricanes began to unravel with penalties and missed opportunities that shifted the game’s rhythm. Miami was flagged 12 times for nearly 100 yards, including one call that wiped away a potential touchdown. A dropped pass turned into an interception, and SMU started to take advantage.
The Mustangs stayed composed and kept fighting. They capitalized on every Miami mistake and found ways to move the ball when it mattered. Their defense tightened up late, forcing Beck into tough decisions and limiting the Hurricanes’ red-zone chances.
In overtime, the game turned for good. With Miami driving near the goal line, SMU defensive back Ahmaad Moses jumped in front of a pass and came down with a crucial interception. On the next possession, running back T. J. Harden finished the job with a one-yard touchdown run that sent the crowd into chaos. Fans stormed the field as SMU celebrated one of the biggest wins in program history.
Beck finished 26 of 38 for 274 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Miami moved the ball effectively for much of the night, but the offense struggled to finish drives. Defensively, the Hurricanes kept the game close but were worn down as SMU’s tempo increased.
The loss drops Miami to 6 and 2 overall and all but ends its playoff hopes. For SMU, now 6 and 3, the win marks its thirteenth consecutive home conference victory and one that solidifies its standing in the ACC.
What will linger for Miami is the final minute of regulation. With 25 seconds left and a timeout available, the Hurricanes chose to kneel instead of attempting a game-winning drive. That decision reflected a cautious approach that ultimately backfired once the game went into overtime.
SMU did not have the higher ranking or the deeper roster, but they executed when it counted. They stayed disciplined, capitalized on turnovers, and finished strong. Miami, meanwhile, will look back on this one as a missed opportunity to prove they could handle adversity on the road.
Final score: SMU 26, Miami 20.
