Miami Hurricanes Pull Off Historic Comeback, Celebrations All Around

The Miami Hurricanes celebrated in full force after securing their biggest comeback win in over 25 years. Following their dramatic victory over the California Golden Bears, the Hurricanes were greeted by fire trucks shooting plumes of water over their plane as it taxied at the airport on Sunday morning. The spontaneous celebration capped a wild night both on and off the field.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw that,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “That was crazy.”

The comeback was indeed wild. The Hurricanes, showing incredible resilience, trailed by 25 points late in the third quarter and by 20 points with only 11 minutes left in the game, but they somehow pulled off a 39-38 win. This marked the biggest comeback in FBS football this season and the largest for Miami since their 28-point rally to beat Boston College in 1999.

Cam Ward’s Heroics Propel Miami to Victory

Miami quarterback Cam Ward was instrumental in the team’s victory, adding to his Heisman Trophy campaign. He passed for 437 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in the final 10 minutes and 28 seconds, including a game-winning throw to tight end Elijah Arroyo with just 26 seconds remaining. Ward’s exceptional performance under pressure was a key factor in the Hurricanes’ historic comeback.

“I didn’t play my best ball,” Ward admitted. “Nobody played their best ball. We can’t keep putting ourselves in these situations.”

This was Miami’s second down-to-the-wire victory in consecutive weeks. Just a week prior, they overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Virginia Tech, surviving a last-second Hail Mary that was overturned on replay. Against California, Miami’s defense had to withstand a controversial moment when linebacker Wesley Bissainthe was nearly flagged for targeting Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the final minutes. If the call had gone Cal’s way, the Hurricanes would have faced an even greater challenge.

“This team has so much trust,” Cristobal said. “Insane resiliency. We’re down 35-10, and nobody blinks. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

A Rising Force in College Football

With the win, Miami improved to 6-0 (2-0 in ACC play) and jumped to No. 6 in the AP Top 25. This is a significant achievement for the Hurricanes, as they haven’t been ranked this high since November 2017, when they briefly reached No. 2. The rise in the rankings reflects the team’s impressive performance and their potential to be a major contender in college football this season.

The Hurricanes will have a bye this week before heading to Louisville on October 19, ready to continue their undefeated streak.

“This was special,” said receiver Xavier Restrepo, who played a vital role in the game’s final moments. Restrepo’s 77-yard catch-and-run set up the game-winning score, moving him to fourth on Miami’s all-time receiving yardage list. “Wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

A Team That Never Quits

Despite the exhausting flight back to Miami, the mood on the plane was peaceful—most players were sleeping or trying to get some rest. Coach Cristobal, however, was not among them. He spent the flight reviewing the game, watching it multiple times on his laptop.

Running back Mark Fletcher, who rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown, had no trouble catching up on sleep. “I slept good,” he said. “We just never quit. We had so much poise. No panic from players or coaches. We just played.”

With the Hurricanes deep in conference play, Fletcher emphasized the playoff-like intensity: “Prepare every week like it’s the national championship and see what happens.”

Eyes on the Future

Cristobal, visibly exhausted but energized by a cup of Cuban coffee, seemed ready to dive back into work after the long journey home. “Sleep? Maybe later,” he said. “There’s work to do. We just came a long way. We still have miles to go.”

The Miami Hurricanes are proving themselves to be a force to be reckoned with this season. If Saturday’s wild comeback is any indication, this team thrives on overcoming adversity. With the rest of the season ahead, the Hurricanes have plenty of opportunities to continue their rise to the top of college football.