Quarterback change not enough for visiting Miami Hurricanes against undefeated Florida State Seminoles

The Hurricanes turned to freshman quarterback Emory Williams to try to revive their poor offense, but the day ended in disaster for him and a loss for UM.

Williams struggled for much of the game but had the chance to try to lead a game-tying drive. When stretching for the first-down line on a fourth-down play, the freshman suffered a “significant” arm injury and had to leave the game.

Benched veteran Tyler Van Dyke entered the game to try to complete the comeback attempt, but he threw a fourth-down game-sealing interception, and Miami (6-4, 2-4 ACC) fell to rival No. 4 Florida State (10-0, 8-0 ACC) 27-20 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday. The Seminoles have beaten the Hurricanes in three straight matchups.

“At the end of the day, we have guys that have grown to be resilient, have grown to be tough, to be callous, to take each game one play at a time,” Cristobal said. “I thought last week it got away from us there when we had a chance to keep playing. I thought that was the difference between today and last week: We gave ourselves a chance at the end. I think as a team, it’s a team that’s hurting, that’s hungry, that’s driven. We’ll get right back at it.”

The Hurricanes thrust Williams into the game as their starting quarterback, starting him over Van Dyke. The true freshman, making his second career start, protected the ball and avoided the turnovers that plagued Van Dyke. However, he completed just eight of 23 passes for 175 yards and could not spark the offense.

Cristobal said after the game Williams went to a local hospital.

“Gutsy, tough, was a little bit nervous early when he first started then settled in,” Cristobal said. “Made some big throws, some gutsy runs, as well, particularly the one where he got hurt on.”

The Seminoles initially looked like they were going to roll through the Hurricanes. Florida State got on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run by Trey Benson and added a field goal on its next drive. Meanwhile, Miami’s offense got off to a slow start.

Hard running from halfback Don Chaney Jr. helped get the Hurricanes back in the game. The fourth-year redshirt sophomore gashed FSU for runs of 26 and 29 yards, getting Miami to the 5-yard line. Williams floated a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jacolby George, cutting the Seminoles’ lead to three.

Miami flipped the momentum on the subsequent drive. A hold backed FSU up to the 15, and on the next play, Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis ran back to the end zone to try to escape pressure. UM linebacker Wesley Bissainthe sacked the FSU quarterback in the end zone for an apparent safety, but the referees (and a replay review) ruled the ball down at the 1.

Instead of getting two points and the ball back, the Hurricanes had to settle for forcing a punt. Miami drove to the 4-yard line and tied the game with a field goal by Andy Borregales to end the half.

The two teams traded field goals in the third quarter, with Borregales hitting a 51-yarder to give UM a 13-10 lead before FSU equalized. The Seminoles took the lead on a 38-yard touchdown run by Benson, his second of the game. They extended the lead on a short passing touchdown from Travis to star receiver Keon Coleman.

The Hurricanes got back into the game with a miraculous touchdown pass from Williams to George. Williams somehow got a pass between two Seminoles defenders, George made the catch and sprinted 85 yards for a touchdown. However, it was not enough for Miami’s chances Saturday.

Five takeaways

Emory Williams struggles in his second start before injury

The Hurricanes put Williams at quarterback today because Van Dyke has struggled with turnovers in his last four starts. To Williams’ credit, he kept the ball out of FSU defenders’ hands. However, he did not hit his own receivers’ hands nearly enough.

Williams missed open receivers several times and finished the game with a 35 percent completion percentage. It was asking a lot from a true freshman in his second career start to play in front of 85,000 hostile fans supporting a top-five team, but the lack of passing game kept Miami from seizing a winnable game.

“All in all, I know statistically it’s not exactly (very good), but he made a spectacular throw to Jacolby and made some other key throws,” Cristobal said.

Unfortunately for him and the Hurricanes, he had to leave the game with what appeared to be a severe injury.

Hurricanes defense came to play

Although the final score may not indicate it, Miami’s defense performed well in Tallahassee. The Hurricanes got several key stops and kept the team in the game even while the offense struggled.

Florida State managed 324 yards, which was its second-lowest total of the season.

Linebackers lead the way

The Hurricanes’ linebacker corps showed out despite the loss. Francisco Mauigoa had nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two key sacks. Bissainthe had five tackles, three tackles for loss and the near-safety.

K.J. Cloyd had four tackles, and Corey Flagg Jr. had four tackles and a tackle for loss.

No safeties for the Hurricanes

When Miami faced Clemson last month, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa sacked quarterback Cade Klubnik for what appeared to be a safety. The referees ruled him down at the 1-yard line. Cristobal said following the win that he thought it was a safety.

It was deja vu all over again in Tallahassee, as it looked like Bissainthe tackled Travis in the end zone. Again, the officials on the field and the review said it was not a safety, drawing the surprise and ire of Miami fans and college football reporters on social media.

“Zero, zero, zero explanation,” Cristobal said. “None. Second time.”

Backup corners perform admirably

The Hurricanes were missing starting corners Daryl Porter Jr. and Jaden Davis after they suffered injuries against N.C. State. Jadais Richard and brothers Davonte and Damari Brown played in their place.

Those three cornerbacks could not secure any turnovers against Travis and FSU’s passing game, but they did keep them from dominating the game.

Travis connected with Coleman and Johnny Wilson nine times for 106 yards but only one touchdown. The Seminoles had to turn to the running game for most of their points this week.

“Damari and Jadais, very talented young guys,” Cristobal said. “Long, big guys, matched up better with their big receivers. I thought all the guys played well.”