ATLANTIC COAST

Miami prevails in another tight game

Miami quarterback Malik Rosier (12) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA College football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami quarterback Malik Rosier (12) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA College football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- By Miami's new standards, this game was decided early.

That means with a couple of minutes to spare.

Travis Homer's 33-yard touchdown run with 2:48 left was the latest entry in No. 8 Miami's growing list of fourth-quarter magic moments this season, and the Hurricanes extended their longest winning streak in 15 years by holding off Syracuse 27-19 on Saturday.

"Well, we found another way to make it really exciting," Miami Coach Mark Richt said. "Part of the reason was Syracuse is a really good football team. We, for some reason, can't find a way to play really good on both sides of the ball at the same time."

The Hurricanes (6-0, 4-0) needed last-second plays to beat Florida State two weeks ago and Georgia Tech last week. This one wasn't so down to the wire, but had plenty of drama until Syracuse turned the ball over on downs near midfield with 1:31 left and Miami kneeled three times to run out the clock.

Malik Rosier threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns for Miami, which has won 11 in a row and has won its first four ACC games for the first time since joining the league in 2004. Christopher Herndon had a career-best 10 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, and Jeff Thomas caught a 48-yard TD pass for the Hurricanes, who haven't had a winning streak this long since winning 34 in a row from 2000-2002.

"It's always a good feeling to win," Homer said. "But seeing your team stay strong and pull through, it's the best. We're 6-0, but that's not our final goal. That's not going to get to our head."

Cole Murphy kicked four field goals for Syracuse (4-4, 2-2), including a career-best 53-yarder with 5:23 left to get the Orange within 20-19. But Miami answered with a nine-play, 85-yard drive capped by Homer's TD run that helped the Hurricanes escape.

Miami harassed Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey throughout, intercepting four of his first-half passes and holding him to a 13-of-41 passing, 137-yard effort. His last hope was a fourth-and-7 try on the last Orange drive, but his throw to Ervin Philips was incomplete and Syracuse -- which topped defending national champion Clemson last week -- fell short of pulling off a second consecutive upset.

"There's a lot of positives," Syracuse Coach Dino Babers said. "It's just, it's hard to swallow when you don't win. We're 4-4, we've got the toughest schedule in the country and we're 4-4. And guess what? We've got two more on the road and two more at home in the loud house, and I guarantee you we're going to be ready to play those four games."

Dontae Strickland rushed for 105 yards for the Orange and Moe Neal had a touchdown run for Syracuse. Dungey rushed for 100 yards and Steve Ishmael and Philips -- the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 receivers coming into the weekend -- were held to 9 catches for 98 yards, on 25 targets.

NO. 14 VIRGINIA TECH 59,

NORTH CAROLINA 7

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Josh Jackson threw three touchdown passes and Virginia Tech scored on a fumble, interception and punt return.

Jackson passed for 132 yards and the Hokies (6-1, 2-1 ACC) dominated in sending the Tar Heels (1-7, 0-5) to their fifth consecutive loss.

Off last week, Virginia Tech looked rested and focused and played that way, scoring in all three phases in the first half and bolting to a 35-0 halftime lead. Virginia Tech scored twice on defense, getting the first score of the game on defensive tackle Ricky Walker’s 12-yard fumble return. The Hokies added Greg Stroman’s 91-yard punt return for a touchdown — his second punt return for a score this season — and defensive back Reggie Floyd’s 69-yard interception return for a score.

Sports on 10/22/2017

Upcoming Events