DALLAS — No. 10 Miami’s playoff hopes took a major hit Saturday as the Hurricanes fell 26-20 in overtime to Southern Methodist University at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
SMU running back T.J. Harden scored the game-winning touchdown from a yard out after Miami quarterback Grayson Beck threw his second interception of the game to Mustangs safety Ahmaad Moses in the extra period.
The Hurricanes (6-2, 2-2 ACC) led 10-7 at halftime despite committing eight penalties for 60 yards in the first half. Miami’s defense dominated early, holding the Mustangs (5-3, 3-1 AAC) to -6 yards rushing.
Miami opened the scoring when Beck found freshman wideout Joshisa “JoJo” Trader for a 36-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Mustangs tied it in the second when quarterback Kevin Jennings connected with Yamir Knight for a 28-yard score.
Malachi Toney’s long punt return before halftime helped set up a short field goal from Carter Davis, giving Miami a 10-7 lead at the break.
Jennings led SMU’s comeback with a third-quarter drive capped by his own 3-yard rushing touchdown to make it 14-10. Miami answered quickly when Beck hit tight end Alex Bauman for a touchdown to reclaim the lead, 17-14.
After SMU tied it with a 43-yard field goal from Sam Keltner, Davis put Miami ahead 20-17 with a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. But penalties plagued the Hurricanes down the stretch — including a costly personal foul on Marquise Lightfoot and a holding call that wiped out a defensive stop.
Jennings drove the Mustangs downfield in the final minutes to set up Keltner’s 38-yard field goal, tying the game at 20-20 and forcing overtime.
Beck’s interception in the extra frame set up Harden’s decisive touchdown, sealing SMU’s upset win and leaving Miami’s postseason hopes in jeopardy.
The Hurricanes were without several key starters, including wide receiver CJ Daniels, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr., all ruled out before kickoff.
Game notes:
● Beck completed 26 of 28 passes for 274 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but his overtime pick proved costly.
● Miami was flagged 12 times for 96 yards, including the personal foul on Lightfoot that helped SMU move into field goal range to tie the game.
● SMU’s win on Saturday became the school’s first against an AP top-10 team since the Jan. 1, 1983, Sugar Bowl against Pittsburgh, which had Dan Marino at quarterback, and its first home win over a top-10 opponent since 1974 against Texas A&M.
Up next:
Miami will look to rebound when it returns home to face Syracuse (3-6, 1-5 ACC) next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
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