Heartbreak for Miami Hurricanes: Late Collapse Leads to Pop-Tarts Bowl Loss Against Iowa State
The Miami Hurricanes’ postseason woes continued in a dramatic showdown against the Iowa State Cyclones at the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Despite a promising start to their season, Miami fell short in a nail-biting 42-41 loss at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
With just 55 seconds left on the clock, the Cyclones executed a pivotal fourth-and-goal play. Quarterback Rocco Becht broke through Miami’s defense with a game-winning touchdown, sealing the fate of the Hurricanes. Miami, unable to mount a final comeback, extended its bowl game losing streak to six consecutive matches, with their last victory dating back to 2016.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Miami entered the game with a 10-2 record and aspirations of breaking their postseason drought. Despite taking their first lead late in the second quarter with a 30-yard field goal by Andres Borregales, the Hurricanes couldn’t maintain momentum. The first half showcased a flurry of scoring, including eight consecutive touchdowns within a 17-minute span.
Quarterback Cam Ward shone in the first half, completing 12 of 19 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. His stellar one-season performance for Miami included a record-breaking 4,313 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, setting new school benchmarks. Ward’s college career totals of 18,189 passing yards and 158 touchdowns also surpassed the Division I record set by Case Keenum.
In the second half, backup quarterback Emory Williams took charge, leading Miami to a 38-28 advantage early in the third quarter. However, Iowa State’s resilience, capped by a 15-play, 84-yard drive in the final minutes, proved too much for Miami to overcome.
Notable Performances and Records
- Damien Martinez: The Hurricanes’ running back delivered a standout performance, rushing for 179 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown in the first half. Martinez became the first Miami player since 2016 to surpass 1,000 rushing yards and score 10 rushing touchdowns in a season.
- Andres Borregales: With two field goals and five extra points in the game, Borregales set a school record for career points scored (405), surpassing Michael Badgley’s previous record of 403.
- Defensive Highlights: The defense managed crucial stops throughout the game, but the final Iowa State drive exposed vulnerabilities, resulting in the Cyclones’ decisive touchdown.
Looking Ahead
The Hurricanes finish the season with a 10-3 record, having lost three of their final four games by a combined 10 points. As they enter the offseason, Miami will reflect on a campaign that began with a perfect 9-0 start but ended short of their ACC and College Football Playoff aspirations.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl serves as a reminder of the team’s potential and the areas that need improvement as Miami looks to break their postseason curse in the coming years.
