No. 6 Miami kept its undefeated season rolling with a 52-45 win on the road against Louisville. The Hurricanes are off to their first 7-0 start since 2017 and, with the victory, created more distance in an ACC title race that gains more clarity with each passing week.
In a third straight back-and-forth affair, Miami benefitted from yet another replay review that changed the tide of the game late. Facing a second-and-3 from Louisville's 34-yard line, up 45-38 with just under 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward dropped back to pass. Louisville linebacker TJ Quinn ripped into the backfield and batted the ball out of Ward's hands, while the Cardinals recovered and returned the fumble for what officials initially called a touchdown to put Louisville one kick away from tying things up.
But, after review, the play was overturned to an incomplete pass. The available angles showed Ward's arm coming forward just before he lost the ball.
A Miami fumble returned for an apparent touchdown by Louisville was ruled an incomplete pass on review. Joe Tessitore had questions even on the initial call. "Is that a live ball? Louisville is returning it as if!" pic.twitter.com/b6GubjckWw
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 19, 2024
Two plays later, Miami running back Damien Martinez slammed the door on Louisville's hopes with a powerful 30-yard rushing touchdown.
DAMIEN MARTINEZ REFUSED TO GO DOWN 😤 pic.twitter.com/modTDodFg4
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 19, 2024
In Week 5, Miami beat Virginia Tech 38-34 after a last-second Hokies Hail Mary touchdown was wiped off the board. A week later, the Hurricanes erased a 20-point, fourth-quarter deficit against California and took a decisive 39-38 lead after a controversial no-call on a potential targeting penalty against Miami that went to video review.
This isn't to say Miami hasn't earned any of these wins. Ward has been a revelation for the Hurricanes, who continue to operate like a well-oiled machine offensively.
He completed 21 passes for 319 yards against the Cardinals, becoming the first Miami quarterback in history to surpass 300 yards passing in seven straight games. He also tossed four touchdowns and rushed for a crucial third-and-17 conversion on Miami's penultimate drive to keep the ball moving.
Miami's running backs also impressed. Martinez was impossible to bring down at times and finished the afternoon with a game-high 89 yards and one touchdown. Mark Fletcher Jr. was the perfect complement 73 yards of his own, and sophomore Ajay Allen scored a touchdown of his own.
By getting past formerly ranked Louisville, Miami's path to the postseason is wide open. Three of its last five games come at home, and it gets to play two teams -- Florida State and Wake Forest -- with a combined ACC record of 2-7.
