The Miami Hurricanes were reminded humbly they are still not officially back to their glory days.
Hurricanes (3-1, 2-1) were defeated by the Clemson Tigers (4-0, 3-0) 42-17, led by potential number one overall in the upcoming NFL Draft Trevor Lawrence Miami was outperformed across the board.
Lawrence finished 29 of 42 for 292 yards passing and three touchdowns along with 34 yards rushing and another score. Running back Travis Etienne was phenomenal all night, serving as Clemson’s leading rusher and receiver, totaling 25 touches for 222 total yards and two TDs.
“Every game we are out to prove something to ourselves. And everyone else watching,” Lawrence said. “We are trying to play best we can. Tonight we played a tough game. That is a top ten team in Miami that has been playing very well. We left a lot out there. It is fun the challenge every week.”
Tigers finished with 550 total yards, converted 34 first downs compared to Miami’s 10. They will remain number one in college football.
The beat goes on for the Tigers, extending its longest active FBS winning streak for regular-season games to 33 and the longest active streak for home games to 25.
Miami committed 15 penalties for 135 yards. That will not get it done visiting the number one team in college football.
There were positives. Hurricanes were impressive on special teams blocking three field goals (two by Bubba Bolden and one by Jared Harrison-Hunte), one of which was returned for a touchdown by cornerback D.J. Ivey.
Early Heisman contender Quarterback D’Eriq King played his worst game of the season. King was sacked four times and threw his first two interceptions of the season. He finished 12 of 28 for 121 yards and no touchdowns; He rushed 14 times for 84 yards and a touchdown.
“We have to keep working on it, try to get better at it,” King said. “I have to make better throws; it starts with me.”
King was the running game himself for Miami. The running backs combined for 11 yards on ten carries.
This game was not a condemnation against Miami as much as it was a credit to Clemson. They are a talented football team. They are number one in the country for a reason and they have been consistent a little over a decade.
Miami will be back, there is the talent that continues to grow down in South Florida, and it is evident with native players playing for Clemson. They are on the right path for a good season. Miami, even after this loss, maybe the second to third-best team in the ACC compared to last year that is much to celebrate.
Clemson visits Georgia Tech.
Miami host Pittsburg.
Photo/ClemsonFootball/twitter
