Miami Hurricanes Perfect Season Hopes End After 24-14 Loss To Pittsburgh, ACC Championship Up Next
By David Villavicencio, HurricaneSports.com // November 25, 2017
ABOVE VIDEO: Miami vs. Pittsburgh Football Highlights
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (HurricaneSports.com) – The Miami Hurricanes had their FBS-leading 15-game winning streak snapped Friday at Pitt, 24-14.
The No. 2 Hurricanes (10-1, 7-1 ACC) entered the final game of the 2017 regular season battle tested and unbeaten, but the Panthers (5-7, 3-5 ACC) played inspired football against their highest-ranked opponent of the season.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard first, taking advantage of beginning a drive in Miami territory and closing the possession with a 46-yard field goal by Alex Kessman. Pitt opened its second possession of the game on the Miami 45 and five plays later the freshman booted the ball through the uprights to take a 3-0 lead with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter.
Miami’s famous turnover chain made its first appearance of the day on the first snap of the second quarter. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett could not handle a shotgun snap that sailed high over his head from center Jimmy Morrissey and Miami sophomore linebacker Michael Pinckney corralled the loose ball to give the Canes the ball at the UM 49. The fumble recovery marked Pinckney’s second time wearing the turnover chain this season.
The Hurricanes took the lead with 7:03 left in the opening half, as Malik Rosier hit Ahmmon Richards for a 23-yard touchdown. Rosier’s pass was thrown to the sideline, where only Richards could catch it, and the sophomore receiver spun and dove for the pylon to put Miami ahead, 7-3.
Momentum stayed on Miami’s side, as safety Sheldrick Redwine delivered a big hit on Pitt tight end Chris Clark to force a fumble and fellow safety Jaquan Johnson scooped up the loose ball to give Miami the ball on its own 48. The safety tandem shared the turnover chain on the Miami sideline, with Johnson handing it to Redwine in recognition of his forced fumble. Redwine finished the game with a career-high 11 tackles (eight solo) and added a pass breakup.
Final.
Time to focus on the ACC Championship. pic.twitter.com/as5WDITBIh
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) November 24, 2017
Pitt regained the lead with 35 seconds to go before halftime, as Pickett scrambled into the end zone from six yards out to give the Panthers a 10-7 lead.
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