My oh my, what a night! The Miami Hurricanes looked completely disheveled for most of the first half against the Cal Bears, who clearly seemed more determined to win. The Bears effectively kept Miami off-schedule, and while the best quarterback in the first half was from Miami, it was not Cam Ward. He struggled to identify open check-down receivers, held the ball too long, scrambled excessively, and failed to capitalize on what the defense was giving him. Miami’s run game showed flashes of effectiveness, but despite his seemingly efficient stats, Ward was outplayed by Fernando Mendoza, who completed 8 of 12 passes for 204 yards, averaging 17.0 yards per pass and tossing two touchdowns.
Miami’s defense was undisciplined, particularly in the linebacker corps and secondary, as they surrendered over 200 yards through the air in just one half. With only 11 rushing yards, it still seemed California could pull off a significant upset of a ranked squad—if the Canes didn’t wake from their slumber. However, the second half saw a remarkable turnaround for Miami, as they rallied from adversity, even overcoming a pick-six thrown early in the half. The Canes managed to find their rhythm, demonstrating resilience and determination to bring about the comeback victory. It was an impressive display of tenacity that raised questions about their potential moving forward.
IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE! The University of Miami football team achieved a stunning comeback victory against California, overcoming a 25-point deficit to win 39-38 perhaps the most topsy-turvy contest on a wild Saturday night. The Hurricanes, ranked eighth nationally, refused to quit, and that remarkable resilience and determination led to scoring touchdowns on their final four drives. Quarterback Cam Ward was instrumental in pulling himself together during the turnaround, throwing for 437 yards, 2 TDs, and leading the team to an impressive four consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arroyo with just 26 seconds remaining.
Miami’s comeback was particularly dramatic given the circumstances; they trailed 35-10 at one point in the third quarter. The Golden Bears seemed poised for a monumental victory, especially with their home crowd behind them from ESPN’s “College GameDay” event into the late evening. However, Miami’s defense tightened up when it mattered most, forcing critical turnovers and stopping Cal’s momentum. Ward’s ability to connect on key passes, including an explosive 77-yard completion to Xavier Restrepo, was pivotal in shifting the game’s momentum back to the Hurricanes.
This victory not only improved Miami’s record to 6-0 but also solidified their status as a top threat to win a very competitive ACC. The dramatic nature of the win showed the team’s fighting spirit and Ward’s stick-to-itiveness and leadership, potentially marking a defining moment in their season. As they prepare for their next tough matchup against Louisville, the Hurricanes will carry the lessons learned and confidence gained from this incredible comeback into future games.
Cal fell to 3-2 and 0-2 in conference play, still seeking its first-ever ACC win.