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Miami Gardens, FL — After barely getting by Appalachian State in the previous week, the Miami Hurricanes were looking to bounce back in a big way at home against Michigan State.
That would not happen.
Miami was embarrassed at home 38-17 to Michigan State at Hard Rock Stadium. The Hurricanes kept this one close until the fourth quarter where turnovers would be their demise. Miami has now lost to its last four power five games.
In the fourth, disaster struck for the Hurricanes as Drew Beesley forced a fumble on King right when he attempted to throw the football. Jacob Panasiuk recovered the loose football at the Miami 17-yard line. The Spartans would take advantage of the turnover scoring a ten-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed.
Miami lost the turnover battle four to zero. Quarterback D’Eriq King threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles.
“Taking care of the ball is the quarterback’s job,” said King. “I should never fumble. I just got to be better. I’ve got to be cautious with the ball. I got to protect the ball at all costs. I’d rather take a sack than throw a pick. I got to take care of the ball. It’s my job. I have the whole team in my hands. I have the ball in my hands every single play. I have to be better for everybody.”
The Hurricanes would add a 55-yard field goal by Andy Borregales to make it a touchdown game with 8:11 left to play in the game, but that would be the last time Miami would come close. Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne would find a wide-open Jalen Nailor for a 39-yard touchdown on the following drive to erase any thoughts of a comeback from the fans at Hard Rock Stadium.
On the ensuing Miami drive, King threw an interception on the first play. A late throw by King was undercut by Ronald Williams Jr. The Spartans would capitalize with another touchdown, this one a Reed eight-yard rush.
King gave everything he had in this game and tried to will his team to a victory. King completed the most completions of his career with 38 completions. King completed 38 of 59 for 388 yards with two touchdown passes and two interceptions.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Spartans threatened to get into the end zone as a big 26-yard run by Kenneth Walker III helped Michigan State get into Miami territory for the first time on the day. The Miami defense would hold the Spartans to a 23-yard field goal as Nesta Silvera helped to stop a run on third down. Both Miami and Michigan State totaled three sacks.
(From Left to Right) Miami Hurricanes Defenders Corey Flagg, Jr. and Elijah Roberts
Miami would counter with a score of their own. Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo helped to move the football inside the five-yard line with back-to-back catches of 28 and 9 yards. On fourth down Rambo would complete the drive with a three-yard touchdown catch where King, on a rollout to his right, found the senior receiver by himself at the back of the end zone.
Rambo had 12 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
(From Left to Right) Miami Hurricanes Wide Receivers Keyshawn Smith and Charleston Rambo
“Twentyoneing us at home, that’s not us,” said Rambo. “We took a L, not enough, be better next week.”
The Canes were looking to go up by two scores in the second quarter as King led an efficient drive to the Michigan State 11 yard line. King fired the football to Will Mallory that was dropped at the goal line. The Canes would have to settle for a 27-yard field goal try that was missed by Borregales.
Michigan State’s combination of Thorne and Walker would lead to another score for the Spartans. Thorne connected with Nailor for a 28-yard pass to get the Spartans to the Hurricane’s six-yard line. Thorne found Walker for a seven-yard touchdown to retake the lead for Michigan State. The Spartans would never relinquish the lead from that point forward.
Walker, the Wake Forest transfer, finished the game with 172 yards on 27 carries and had three catches for 17 yards.
The Spartans would take a 10-7 lead into halftime.
Michigan State added another score in the third quarter. Thorne, executing a series of screen passes, put together a 10-play drive that would end with an eleven-yard touchdown pass to Nailor.
Nailor had four catches for 82 yards and two scores.
Michigan State went 5 for 5 in the red zone while Miami went 1 for 3.
King, injured on the previous drive, went into the locker room but came out in time for the next offensive series for the Hurricanes. King led a 10-play drive for Miami to score on that drive. The senior quarterback threw the ball into a very tight window to Rambo for a 14-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Miami will host Central Connecticut next week. Michigan State will look to build on the win as they host Nebraska next Saturday night.
“It hurts to lose this game because we know we should’ve won,” said starting safety Bubba Bolden. “We have to acknowledge what we can get better at on both sides of the ball.”
Attendance 46,427
Photos Courtesy of Miami Athletics
