Miami turned the ball over four times, missed a 43 yard field goal attempt, settled for field goals on two trips inside North Carolina’s ten-yard line, but still found a way to emerge from Chapel Hill with a 27-23 win.
Miami vs. UNC 2013 final score: Hurricanes stave off upset, win 27-23
The Hurricanes came from behind to knock off the Tar Heels and keep their championship hopes alive.
Streeter Lecka
North Carolina had a chance to put the game on ice with a 23-20 lead, needing just inches to convert a critical third down late in the game, but the Tar Heels committed a delay of game penalty and a false start penalty on consecutive attempted offensive plays. Tyriq McCord sacked Bryn Renner on third and long, which forced a punt that gave Miami a chance to tie the game or take the lead with 4:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Miami proceeded to put together a 13-play, 90-yard drive, capped by a three-yard Dallas Crawford touchdown run with 16 seconds remaining, giving the Hurricanes the lead for the first time since going up 13-7 on a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown. North Carolina got the ball back with just 16 seconds to pull off a miracle and got within striking distance of the end Miami endzone, but the Tar Heels’ last gasp came up just short as Bryn Renner chucked up a Hail Mary as time expired and the ball bounced off the fingertips of Quinshad Davis.
Box Score Hero:
UNC’s Eric Ebron set a new school record for tight ends with eight catches for 199 yards. He looked impossible to cover all night, including a big catch on the final drive that set up the shot to the end zone.
After Duke Johnson left the game with an apparent head injury, Dallas Crawford stepped up and put on an impressive display, rushing for 137 yards and the Hurricanes' final two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 16 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter.
Rankings Ramifications:
Miami arrived in Chapel Hill ranked 10th in the AP Top 25 and 11th in the Coaches’ Poll. It’s possible they could move up in the polls, but after barely beating a 1-5 team, the Hurricanes will need some help. North Carolina picked up its fifth loss on the year and is pretty much eliminated from consideration in the polls for the remainder of the 2013 season.
But Did They Cover?
Miami was favored by anywhere from 9 to 10 points, so the Hurricanes’ four point margin of victory was not enough to cover the spread.
For More On This Game:
For more on Canes football, visit Miami community State of The U.
For more on UNC football, visit North Carolina community Tar Heel Blog.
Next Week’s Schedule:
Miami gets Wake Forest at home next Saturday while North Carolina welcomes Boston College to Chapel Hill.
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