WATCH: Tipped pass makes lucky bounce to Miami receiver for touchdown
The Miami Hurricanes caught a huge break in the third quarter against Florida State, when a tipped pass to the end zone was brought down for a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Mike Harley made a great heads-up play after quarterback Tyler Van Dyke‘s pass was tipped high up into the air by the defense.
Miami scores touchdown on tipped pass
As Van Dyke’s pass threatened to be caught by whoever was closest, Harley was running in the right spot at the right time in the back of the end zone. After making an adjustment to the direction the ball was headed, Harley brought Miami right back into the game with the touchdown.
Miami started out slow, but with Harley’s score they were able to bring the game closer at 20-14.
Van Dyke’s struggles on the day showcased just how difficult a beginning he had. Through the tipped-pass touchdown, Van Dyke had thrown for two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Miami offense began with a three-and-out, followed by back-to-back drives ended with an interception.
Both teams posturing for a brawl
The Miami Hurricanes took the lead over Florida State in the fourth quarter after both teams nearly had a brawl at mid-field prior to the quarter. During the break between the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth, both teams met near the Seminoles logo and stared each other down as the rivalry game heated up in the second half.
“Miami-Florida State nearly had a team brawl at midfield between the 3rd and 4th quarters,” detailed The Athletic’s Chris Vannini on Twitter. “And on the first play of the 4th, Miami throws a TD pass on 4th down to take the lead. Feisty!”
Penalties were called on both teams for their behavior on the field during the break, as both teams were easily separated by coaches and referees before anything serious transpired. The fighting spirit from both teams set the stage for a tough finish to the latest chapter of the teams’ storied rivalry.
The touchdown was the second fourth-down completion by Miami on the drive and gave the Hurricanes a 21-20 lead to start the final quarter of play. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke hit tight end Will Mallory on a route into the flat, allowing Mallory to run the ball in for the score with ease. Shortly afterwards, Miami managed to score again as their barrage of points continued.
After trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, Miami’s comeback involved them outscoring Florida State by 25 points over the next two quarters of play.