Georgia Tech hands No. 4 Miami first loss of season

Georgia Tech coaches believed one of the best ways to beat Cam Ward and No. 4 Miami was to maintain the ball away from the quarterback.

Regardless of dropping their prime two working backs and having their beginning quarterback function primarily as a runner, the Yellow Jackets’ recreation plan was profitable.

Ward and Miami lastly ran out of second-half comebacks as Haynes King led Georgia Tech to a 28-23 win over the beforehand unbeaten Hurricanes on Saturday for the Yellow Jackets’ first victory over a top-five staff in 15 years.

Followers rushed the sector, toppling each goalposts, after the sport.

Miami (9-1, 5-1 ACC) was denied its first 10-0 begin since 2017. Georgia Tech (6-4, 4-3) grew to become bowl-eligible and ended a two-game dropping streak.

“We simply did not play Miami soccer,” security Mishael Powell mentioned. “We did not do a superb job getting turnovers immediately.”

King rushed for 93 yards and ran and handed for touchdowns as Georgia Tech held the ball virtually 10 minutes longer than Miami. The Yellow Jackets held the Hurricanes to a season low in factors — lower than half of their top-ranked common of 47.4.

King threw solely six passes, finishing all of them for under 32 yards, in his return after lacking two video games with a proper shoulder harm. The Yellow Jackets outrushed the Hurricanes 271-88.

“The way in which they ran the soccer, realizing that they have been banged up at quarterback, they did a greater job than we did,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal mentioned.

“Extraordinarily, extraordinarily disappointing. I believe, as you’ll be able to think about, all the locker room is admittedly unhappy, down, upset. It’s a must to personal it.”

The Yellow Jackets overcame 347 passing yards and three landing passes by Ward, a Heisman Trophy contender.

“Good soccer recreation, when you consider in working the ball and stopping the run and time of possession,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key mentioned. “These kind of issues nonetheless work.”

The Yellow Jackets held the ball for 17 performs on a monstrous 75-yard landing drive capped by King’s 5-yard display go to Malik Rutherford within the second quarter. The drive put Tech up 14-10 and chewed 10 minutes, 45 seconds off the clock.

Ward’s 38-yard scoring go to Xavier Restrepo reduce the result in 28-23 within the fourth quarter. Miami’s last possession began at its 19 with 1:52 left. Ward fumbled when sacked by Romello Top, and Jordan van den Berg recovered for Georgia Tech.

“Our guys performed,” Key mentioned. “They did not bat an eye fixed. They did not flinch.”

Georgia Tech’s Jamal Haynes broke by means of Miami’s defensive entrance for a 65-yard run on the second play of the sport and added a 16-yard scoring run two performs later because the Yellow Jackets took a 7-0 lead.

Ward answered with a record-setting 74-yard scoring go to Elijah Arroyo. It was Ward’s school-record thirtieth landing go of the season. Ward had been tied with Steve Walsh, who threw 29 scoring passes in 1988.

Accidents at working again

Haynes left the sport following a giant hit from security Jaden Harris within the first quarter and did not return. Haynes’ backup, Chad Alexander, left with an obvious left leg harm late within the first half.

One other backup working again, Trey Cooley, misplaced his helmet on successful from Miami defensive sort out Ahmad Moten Sr. late within the third quarter. Moten was flagged for focusing on and ejected from the sport.

Comeback magic ends

Miami’s unbeaten run by means of its first 9 video games included three second-half comebacks. Miami beat Duke 53-31 final week after the Blue Devils led 28-17 within the third quarter. Towards Georgia Tech, the Hurricanes’ solely lead was 10-7 and so they trailed after the Yellow Jackets went up 14-10 within the second quarter.

The Related Press contributed to this story.