The Miami Hurricanes did enough to leave College Station, Texas, with a gutty victory over the Texas A&M Aggies to advance in the College Football Playoffs.
College Station, TX - Saturday, Dec. 20th, was a historic day for the Miami Hurricanes, playing in the College Football Playoffs for the first-time ever. Mario Cristobal has successfully established a new standard and culture within the program; however, the goal wasn't only to make an appearance. After battling adversity to end the regular season and responding strongly, they were aiming for the National Championship.
Before that, the team would need to get past the Texas A&M Aggies, who are also new to the College Football Playoff scene. They led the nation in sacks throughout the regular season, 41, alongside the Oklahoma Sooners. The Hurricanes' offensive line would have a big task in protecting Carson Beck.
This has been anticipated to be the best first-round matchup compared to the others. Two programs that can cancel each other out in a variety of ways.
The excitement only grew in Kyle Field as it was time for kickoff, with the Aggies taking the field for the first drive of the game after the Hurricanes won the coin toss and chose to defer. Despite a few good defensive stops, redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed has kept plays alive with his legs.
However, cornerback Keionte Scott, in his first game back from injury since Nov. 15th, created a three-yard tackle for loss on wide receiver Terry Bussey. The locals were forced to go for it on fourth and six; the windy conditions were too risky for a field goal. However, after a false start penalty, they were forced to punt.
It was Carson Beck's turn to lead the offense down the field, but it would be a difficult task after starting on the Hurricanes' own ten-yard line. The first play went to running back Mark Fletcher Jr., rushing for seven-yards, plus the first down.
However, the drive didn't last long against the Aggies defense on third and fifth. They're the best in the nation in those situations. The locals' offense was back on the field and immediately got down the field, especially after an explosive catch from tight end Nate Boerkircher for 19 yards.
What appeared to be a moment of panic for the Hurricanes, Scott continued to make an impact by stripping the ball from Reed, which was ruled a fumble and recovered by Armondo Blount, with the visitors retaining possession.
As the offense returned, Fletcher Jr. ran for 10-yards, plus the first down. However, the Hurricanes quickly found themselves in another third-down situation, but nothing nearly enough for gainage. The first quarter ended scoreless after the Aggies' magic didn't sustain after a Reed 10-yard rush.
Both defenses have controlled the momentum of the game thus far. The Hurricanes started the second quarter with a rushing four-yard from freshman Malachi Toney. However, the drive was cut short after Beck was tackled and lost the ball. Fletcher Jr. prevented an Aggies fumble recovery.
The Aggies immediately threw a daunting strike after a 59-yard catch from wide receiver Mario Craver. However, the Hurricanes came through with a miracle after a blocked field goal from Rueben Bain Jr on fourth and four.
Fletcher Jr. continued to provide a spark for the Hurricanes' offense after running for 17-yards, plus the first down. However, in another third-down situation, the Aggies' defense held strong. However, the locals' drive was cut short after a false start penalty on third down.
After punting, Toney finally found room on the field after a 55-yard return. Had the 19-year-old freshman not tripped on himself, it could've been the first touchdown of the game. Unfortunately, the spark didn't translate as Beck was sacked on another third-down situation, but despite being in field goal range, kicker Carter Davis went far right due to windy conditions.
The Aggies' following drive didn't get past midfield, even attempted a fake punt on fourth and four, but couldn't convert. After a scoreless first half, the Hurricanes would start with the ball to begin the third quarter at their own 30-yard line.
Beck found wide receivers CJ Daniels and Keelan Marion for a couple of long catches, moving the chains down. In another third-down situation, the Hurricanes went to Fletcher Jr. and rushed down near the red zone, stopping at the 10-yard line.
They found themselves at the two-yard line on fourth and goal, but opted for a field goal. After missing a couple of attempts, Carter seals the deal with a 21-yard kick. The Hurricanes struck the scoreboard first. It didn't stop there as the defense began to light up.
After bringing pressure towards Reed, which forced an intentional grounding penalty, followed by a sack from Akheem Meisdor, then a 36-yard interception from safety Bryce Fitzgerald. However, the Hurricanes' offense couldn't continue the momentum, and Davis missed a 35-yard field goal.'
The Aggies' offense was in scrambles in the following drive and forced to punt on third and fourth.
As the Hurricanes' offense returned, Fletcher Jr. continued to be the most positive, rushing for 13 yards, plus the first down. However, in another third-down situation, the drive ended short.
The defense continued to impact the game as Bain Jr. swallowed Reed, his first sack of the game.
The score was 3-0 heading into the fourth quarter, with the visitors briefly leading.
However, the Aggies' offense finally found some life, getting down the field, but after another Mesidor sack, it made them settle for a field goal. Kicker Randy Bond converted and tied the game 3-3.
The Hurricanes, with a chance to respond, and Fletcher Jr. continues to run strong, rushing for 16 yards, plus another first down. However, tragedy struck as Toney was stripped and the Aggies recovered the fumble. The Hurricanes' defense, once again the hero, keeping the locals away from field goal range.
Fletcher Jr., once again being the biggest guy on the field, rushed for 56 yards. Afterwards, Toney found the path to the endzone, the first touchdown of the game. A massive recovery after the fumble. The score was 10-3.
The Aggies executed tremendously to get down the field with less than a minute, but Fitzgerald grabbed the interception at the end zone to seal the deal. The Hurricanes advance to the quarterfinals Cotton Bowl and will face the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31st, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
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