Miami football season ends in blowout loss to Pittsburgh
The Miami football team had another shaky performance offensively, allowed 40 or more points in a game for the fifth time this season and lost 42-16 to Pittsburgh with their season on the line on Saturday night. Miami would have qualified for a bowl game with a win over the Panthers. The Hurricanes finish the season 5-7.
Tyler Van Dyke started the game but after completing four passes in eight attempts for 83 yards and an interception reinjured his shoulder and did not return. Jake Garcia was 17-27 for 192 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in relief of Van Dyke. Head coach Mario Cristobal stated he felt Garcia gave Miami the best chance to win.
Miami moved the ball to the Pittsburgh 11-yard line on the opening drive. Van Dyke was intercepted by Pittsburgh linebacker SirVocea Dennis who returned the pick 67 yards to the Miami 30. Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda ran for two yards for a TD four plays later to give Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead.
After Jacurri Brown threw an interception on the second Miami drive Pittsburgh drove to the Miami one. The Hurricanes stopped the Panthers on fourth down to seize some momentum back. After a Miami punt, Pittsburgh quarterback Kedon Slovis completed a 66-yard TD pass to Jared Wayne for a 14-0 Pittsburgh lead.
Wayne weaved through the Miami defense with three to four missed tackles on the play. Pittsburgh added two more TDs in the second quarter to take a 28-0 halftime lead. Pittsburgh finished the game with 504 yards to 385 to Miami. Slovis was 18-28 for 256 yards, three TDs and one interception.
Abanikanda had 15 carries for 111 yards and two TDs. Wayne was the on receiving end of the majority of passes from Slovis with 11 receptions for 199 yards and three TDs. Will Mallory was the star of the game for the Miami offense with nine receptions for 111 yards and one TD.
Mallory tied the Miami football TD receiving record by a TE with 14 in his career. Safety James Williams led Miami with 10 tackles. Linebacker Caleb Johnson finished with eight and Kamren Kinchens contributed seven stops. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor had the lone Miami interception.
Next. Miami sets infamous records in loss to Pittsburgh. dark
Miami faces a transitional offseason. The Hurricanes currently have the 10th-ranked 2023 recruiting class. Miami has already lost six players to the transfer portal and is expected to lose a lot more. The Hurricanes will add a significant amount of transfers for 2023. Miami opens the 2023 season on September 2 versus Miami (OH).