Clemson Falls to Miami, 28-20, in Double Overtime
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Clemson (4-3, 2-3 ACC) dropped a double-overtime decision to Miami (5-2, 1-2 ACC), 28-20, on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. A goal-line stand by Miami in the second overtime sealed the victory for the Hurricanes, who snapped a four-game losing streak in the series. Clemson’s defense had nine tackles for loss, but Miami was able to string together points on four of its final five possessions to outlast the Tigers.
Sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik was 18-for-34 for 314 yards. Klubnik connected with tight end Jake Briningstool five times for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Briningstool’s 126 yards broke Clemson’s school record for single-game receiving yards by a tight end, surpassing Jordan Leggett’s 122 yards against Florida State in 2016.
Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. led Clemson defensively with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes broken up and a forced fumble. Barrett Carter, Nate Wiggins and R.J. Mickens also added eight tackles apiece.
On its second drive of the game, Clemson appeared poised to score on a 12-play, 84-yard drive, but running back Will Shipley was stripped on 3rd-and-goal just before crossing the goal line for a fumble Miami recovered in the end zone for a touchback. On the ensuing play, Miami opened the scoring on an 80-yard touchdown. Brashard Smith broke free on a rush up the middle, and though Nate Wiggins chased him down and forced a fumble at the one-yard line, Miami’s Jacolby George recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, Klubnik led the Tigers 90 yards on seven plays, culminating with a 32-yard touchdown connection with Jake Briningstool, the tight end’s second of the season. During the drive, Antonio Williams also hauled in a 33-yard reception and Shipley had a 17-yard rush.
Sheridan Jones recorded his third career interception to end Miami’s final drive of the first half, which ended tied at 7-7. Miami did not run a single offensive play in Clemson’s half of the field in the first half while Clemson recorded four tackles for loss. Clemson outgained Miami, 191-139.
After a stop to open the second half, Klubnik drove the Tigers into Miami territory, hitting on his first three throws for 55 yards. Jonathan Weitz came on to hit a 41-yard field goal to cap the drive, and give the Tigers a 10-7 lead with 8:38 to play in the third quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Andrew Mukuba made a critical stop on 4th-and-2 at the Clemson 36-yard line. On the next play, Kulbnik hit Briningstool down the seam for a 50-yard gain down to the 14-yard line. On the next snap, Briningstool hauled in an incredible leaping 19-yard reception over a Miami defender and got a knee inbounds for his second touchdown of the game. The reception gave him 126 receiving yards in the game, surpassing the Clemson single-game record for most receiving yards by a tight end, which had been Jordan Leggett’s 122 against Florida State in 2016.
Miami responded with a touchdown of its own to pull within three at 17-14. The Hurricanes went on a 15-play, 75-yard drive that took 9:01 of game clock. The Tigers were forced to punt the ball back to Miami, who then drove down and hit a game-tying 38-yard field goal with 1:52 to play.
Jonathan Weitz made a 31-yard field goal to conclude Clemson’s first possession in overtime. Miami answered with a 35-yard field goal of its own to tie the game at 20-20 and send the game into double overtime.
Ajay Allen rushed three yards for a Miami touchdown and then again for the two-point conversion to start the second overtime. On Clemson’s second play, Klubnik completed a 21-yard pass to Tyler Brown to give Clemson first-and-goal at the Miami two-yard line. Clemson’s ensuing four attempts came up short, and Klubnik was run out of bounds on 4th-and-goal to seal the win for Miami.
