4 quick weeks in the past, each Miami and Iowa State had aspirations of convention and nationwide titles. Nevertheless, late-season missteps had not solely knocked each groups out of the Faculty Soccer Playoff but in addition left them with a want to complete the season robust.
Each the Hurricanes and the Cyclones entered the Pop Tarts Bowl short-handed. Iowa State standout Jayden Higgins, a senior receiver who led the workforce in yards and touchdowns, introduced his declaration for the 2025 NFL Draft following pregame warm-ups. Miami, however, performed with out two of their prime two cornerbacks, in addition to three of their 5 main receivers, together with first-team All-American Xavier Restrepo.
Trailing by six late within the fourth quarter, Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht led the Cyclones on a methodical, 16-play, 84-yard drive, taking 5:38 off of the clock earlier than a quarterback sneak gave ISU the lead. Miami’s frantic ultimate drive fell quick, as quarterback Emory Williams’ last-second heave was intercepted as time expired, giving the Cyclones a 42-41 win on Saturday night time at Tenting World Stadium.
“This workforce has confronted a whole lot of adversity … they usually’ve by no means flinched,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell mentioned.
Miami’s begin to the sport was disastrous. An errant snap led to a fumble that was recovered by Iowa State’s Cael Brezina. After the Cyclones scored the sport’s opening landing, Miami responded rapidly, as working again Damien Martinez went 75 yards to the home on the primary play of the following drive. Momentum continued to shift, with quarterback Cam Ward discovering Jacolby George to tie the sport up at 14, whereas Iowa State’s Carson Hansen tallied two touchdowns to provide Iowa State a 21-14 edge on the finish of the primary quarter.
Ward’s landing move to George was historic, because it was the Heisman finalist’s 156th profession passing landing: an NCAA Division I report. Ward broke the report set by Case Keenum (155 touchdowns) throughout his time at Houston (2007-11).
The back-and-forth motion continued into the second quarter. Each offenses seemed unstoppable, because the groups mixed for eight consecutive landing drives. Because the clock wound down, Ward put senior kicker Andres Borregales in place for a 29-yard area aim, giving the Hurricanes their first lead of the sport, 31-28, heading into halftime.
The second half introduced a shock for ’Canes followers. Backup quarterback Emory Williams changed Cam Ward.
Ward, who didn’t return, completed the sport with 190 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal didn’t touch upon the choice to maintain Ward out of the second half.
“I feel all conferences with gamers and choices like that, we make them in non-public, and we maintain them in non-public … I do know he performed his finest whereas he was in there,” Cristobal mentioned.
With out their main signal-caller, Miami turned to its workhorse, Martinez. The junior again completed the sport with 179 speeding yards and one landing, making him the primary Hurricanes working again to hit the 1,000-yard mark since Mark Walton in 2016 (1,117 yards). The workforce’s 308 speeding yards additionally set a program bowl recreation report, a proven fact that was not misplaced on Miami’s offensive linemen.
“It might’ve felt higher with the win,” mentioned Jalen Rivers, a fifth-year offensive deal with and workforce captain. “But it surely means rather a lot that we had been in a position to rush like we did right now.”
Kicker Andres Borregales’ fourth-quarter area aim prolonged the Hurricane result in six and likewise made him Miami’s all-time main scorer (405 factors). But it surely wouldn’t be sufficient; the Cyclones went on their game-winning drive on the possession that adopted.
Becht threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns, with 117 of these yards and one landing going to senior receiver Jaylin Noel. Sophomore Carson Hansen rushed for 82 yards and tallied three whole touchdowns.
Miami (10-3, 6-2 ACC) ends the season shedding three of its final 4 matchups after a 9-0 begin. 2024 marks solely the second time a Miami workforce has gained 10 video games because the 2003 season.
Williams was underwhelming in reduction of Ward, finishing simply 5 of 14 passes for 26 yards and an interception. Operating again Mark Fletcher Jr. completed with 62 yards and one landing, and true freshman broad receiver Joshisa Dealer completed with three catches for 61 yards and his first profession landing.
Will probably be an extended offseason for the Hurricanes as they appear to reload for the 2025 marketing campaign.