Miami Football: 3 Takeaways from Hurricanes narrow win over North Carolina

What looked to be a name-the-score type of game coming in, Miami football had to work the full 60 minutes before turning away a 1-8 North Carolina team Saturday in Chapel Hill.

The No. 8 Hurricanes came to life in the second half, and held on for a 24-19 win over North Carolina. North Carolina’s Jordon Brown lost a fumble on what could have been a game-winning drive for the Tar Heels, as Miami dodged a huge bullet on the road.

Miami struggled through a first half in which it seemed disinterested and lethargic. Quarterback Malik Rosier couldn’t find his groove and wasn’t putting the ball where his receivers could catch it. A late 51-yard touchdown pass from Rosier to Christopher Herndon IV finally got the Canes on the board late in the half, as Miami took a 7-6 lead to the locker room.

The Tar Heels had several chances to increase what was only a 6-0 lead in the second quarter. The Hurricanes’ defense stiffened on a 4th-and-goal attempt early in the game, sacking Tar Heels’ quarterback Chazz Surratt at the 10-yard line. Later a fake field goal attempt would go awry for North Carolina.

With both teams rolling up over 400 yards of offense, turnovers proved pivotal. North Carolina turned it over four times, including three interceptions and the late Brown fumble. Miami would turn it over only twice and Rosier would bounce back from a stagnant first half, to throw for 356 yards and three scores.

Here are three takeaways from Miami’s narrow win over North Carolina.