MIAMI GARDENS -- The Hurricanes were not about to let the Orange knock them out of the playoffs for a second year in a row.
Despite a slow start to the game, No. 18 Miami (7-2, 3-2 ACC) ultimately cruised to a 38-10 win over Syracuse (3-7, 1-6 ACC) at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, getting revenge over the Orange after Syracuse beat Miami in the season finale last year.
Miami's offense got off to a bland start. Two Syracuse sacks ended Miami drives, and the Hurricanes amassed just 47 yards on two first-quarter drives. The second quarter started much the same way, as Miami punted on its third and fourth drives of the game.
After four stagnant drives, Miami finally got a spark, and it came from its freshman receivers. After a big catch and run by Daylyn Upshaw and a positive play by Josh Moore, the Hurricanes ran a reverse and double pass; star freshman Malachi Toney tossed the ball to quarterback Carson Beck, who jogged in for the first score of the game on a 14-yard catch.
Miami's defense, which had been keeping the Orange in check throughout the first half, got on the board with points of its own. Defensive back Keionte Scott continued his stellar season with a 38-yard pick-six from Syracuse quarterback Rickie Collins.
Syracuse drove down the field in the waning minutes of the second half, reaching the UM 5-yard line before UM's Akheem Mesidor forced a fumble that Jakobe Thomas covered.
The Orange moved the ball well on its first drive of the second half, but Miami held strong in the red zone and forced a field goal that Syracuse converted.
Beck tossed a touchdown pass of his own in the third quarter. He fired a pass in a tight window but found receiver Keelan Marion, who took the play 61 yards to the end zone to give UM a 21-3 lead early in the third quarter.
Miami seized control of the game with a 19-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Girard Pringle Jr. late the third quarter.
UM safety Jakobe Thomas had Miami's second interception of the game. He snagged a ball that a Syracuse receiver bobbled as he rolled on the ground, and Thomas was not sure if it was a live ball or not. With linebacker Mo Toure urging him to run, Thomas shook some Orange defenders and set up a UM field goal.
Miami had some fun with its last touchdown of the night. Beck tossed a pass backwards to right tackle Francis Mauigoa, who sprinted for the goalline and scored his first career touchdown.
Facing one of the worst defenses in the Power 4, the Hurricanes started painfully slow in the first half. UM had just 47 yards on two drives in the first quarter, and the game was still locked in a scoreless tie late in the fourth quarter.
The Hurricanes needed a spark and did not get one until freshman wide receivers started making plays.
Miami's offense has been its Achilles' heel the last several weeks, and even when up against a struggling defense, it needed several drives before scoring points.
Once the Hurricanes' offense started clicking, it ultimately rolled to a 31-point game.
Although Miami's offense struggled early, UM's defense was dominant. The Hurricanes allowed 285 yards in the game and kept the Orange off the scoreboard until the third quarter.
Scott, who has been one of the best nickelbacks in the nation, had a pick-six that highlighted another strong game from him.
Miami also got big plays from Mesidor, Thomas and star defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., who all had sacks. UM finished the game with a season-high seven sacks -- the most UM has had in a game since 2019 -- and a season-high 11 tackles for loss.
Scott and Thomas have been crucial additions this season.
Scott, a former Auburn defensive back, continued his strong season, notching a pass breakup and a tackle for loss to go along with a pick-six.
Thomas had an interception of his own, which came one play after a sack. He also finished the game with five tackles.
Teams are bracketing the star freshman in coverage, but the Hurricanes found another way for him to get involved in their offense.
Toney, who played quarterback in the state championship game in his final season of high school football, tossed a touchdown pass to Beck to put Miami on the board. Miami also debuted a Wildcat package with Toney at quarterback.
Toney finished the game with a touchdown pass, 14 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards.
With two losses and a ranking, the Hurricanes need help and style points to reach the College Football Playoff.
Despite the slow start, the final score looks good for Miami. UM should move up in the rankings on Tuesday.