Tech Shocks Miami
Late second half heroics by King And Leary capitalize in Cristobal’s strategy error in 23-20 stunner at Hard Rock
College football is enjoyable in part because it can be so unpredictable. And every so often, those unexpected twists and turns are so dramatic that they forge instant memories that will last a long time.
Such was the case in Georgia Tech’s last- second win over heavily-favored Miami. On a day of crummy weather in south Florida, and with the Jackets coming off a thrashing at home at the hands of Bowling Green (!), you could see where Miami might not be fully dialed in. They weren’t, and Tech hung around, keeping it close into the 4th quarter. But though the Hurricaines weren’t clicking, it was ultimately a mistake by their coach Critobal that effectively cost them the game.
With the clock ticking down under 1:20 to play, with Tech having used all three timeouts and with Miami holding the ball near the Tech 30 with a 3 point lead, all they needed to do was to fall on the ball twice and let the clock run out. Simple.
Instead, for reasons that remained vague even after his winding post-game explanation, Cristobal called for several consecutive running plays via hand- off. A fumble by Miami RB Don Chaney Jr. gave Tech a chance. Kyle Kennard recovered for the Jackets and they had the ball at their own 26 with no timeouts and looking up at a 20-17 Miami lead. Three plays later, Tech scored on a stunning 44 yard pass from Haynes King to Christian Leary. Brent Key declined the PAT attempt, apparently fearing a penalty or a turnover, Georgia Tech kicked off and then defended one desperation lateral play by the Hurricanes to seal a 23-20 “are-you-kidding-me?” win over the haughty Hurricanes of Hard Rock
Immediately the rehash was on, with all sources agreeing that Cristobal’s failure to mandate a couple of simple kneel-downs was the reason the roof caved in on Miami. True, Tech still had to go 74 yards with no timeouts, though probably Miami’s bigger concern was Tech advancing about 50 yards to allow a last second field goal attempt.
On a broken play that began in desperation and ended in glory for Tech, Christian Leary broke deep on his route and cradled a perfect toss from King before sliding into the endzone to create a happy moment that Tech players and fans will remember for generations.
Miami was a three touchdown favorite, playing at home against a 2-3 Tech team that had been steamrolled on their home field a week earlier by a mediocre MAC team. The Hurrucanes had begun growing ambition toward a special season, not to mention rumblings about a Heisman candidacy for their star QB Tyler Van Dyke.
And true to predictions, the ‘ Canes had dominated Tech throughout the game, in any category you care to consider. Yards gained, rushing yards, first downs, third down conversion percentage, time of possession etc . Tech incurred 11 penalties to Miami’s 6. But the score remained close, thanks in part to Miami’s three turnovers ( vs Tech’s two.) Thus was born a slim chance for Georgia Tech.
In Tech annals, this game will compare to the 2015 last-play win over FSU in Atlanta. In both cases, victory chances appeared out of nowhere and then blossomed into reality. In this game, Tech was the visitor, and as such, the win was a gut punch for the home fans, who showed their immediate disgust by tossing things onto the field and sending boos down from the stands. Several Hurricanes were seen sobbing on their bench as the moments played out, first with the obligatory replays and then with the kickoff and subsequent single play.
Brent Key and staff were understandably exuberant and Key later emphasized how this game showed precisely the importance of playing ” the full 60 minutes”,
The decisions made by Key to forego the PAT and then to use a squib kick were also questioned post-game. The PAT attempt was felt to not justify the small but real risk of a penalty or worse –a block and return that might have set up Miami for their own last second miracle. The squib kick seemed logical, but kicking it out of bounds gave Miami life near midfield. Some were surprised again when Cristobal did not use Van Dyke’s big arm to launch a true Hail Mary. The lateral play was strung out for several seconds and a number of tosses before Tech got the stop and the win.
Georgia Tech moved to 3-3 with the victory and now looks ahead to a bye week before hosting Boston College on Oct 21. With the win, Key and company keep alive their hopes for a 6 ( or more) win season and a possible bowl bid. Either way, the “Miracle in Miami” will reverberate in the recall of Tech fans for along time– and will likewise linger in the minds of the Miami team that let this one get away.
Patrick Conarro
