Another week, another torturous loss for Miami football fans.
After falling behind 27-14, Miami fought back to pull within two, 30-28, with a chance to go down and score the game-winning touchdown or field goal. The defense was finally making key stops after struggling in the first half and into the early second, but the Hurricanes needed the offense to step up without D’Eriq King and Jake Garcia.
Tyler Van Dyke got the start with the other quarterbacks out and he had a decent game, completing 15-of-29 passes for 203 yards and a score and he had a huge 24-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth which gave the Hurricanes new life.
But a late Manny Diaz coaching gaffe, in my opinion, led to the loss.
He had the Hurricanes in a position to hit the game-winning field goal with no time left, but instead of opting to continue the push and score a touchdown in order to not leave any doubt on the foot of a kicker, Diaz decided to just run the time out and essentially forfeit extra yardage with a minute left in the red zone.
Fast forward to the moment when :03 was left on the clock and Andres Borregales lined up for what was supposed to be a chip shot, and there was just a bad feeling in the air.
And just like that, Borregales doinked his kick off the left upright, ending the game with a 30-28 Virginia win.
If Diaz wasn’t feeling a warm seat before, he surely is now after his decision to settle for a field goal and the fact that the Hurricanes are now 2-3 on the year after starting in the top 15.
How hot is the Miami football coach’s seat?
There is still some to turn things around, but after getting out-gained by 2-2 Virginia 449-372 on his home field, Diaz has to be wondering if he’s going to be safe through the weekend.
I get it, it’s still in his third year and just went a surprising 8-3 a season ago, but not trying to score a touchdown in that situation is a firable offense. You can’t rely on college kickers like that and he just threw away a sure win because he was playing it way too safe. He was too afraid to turn the ball over (his team had zero all game) so he surrendered extra yardage and a potential game-winning touchdown.
Diaz’s seat has to be red-hot. Miami did not expect a 16-13 record through his first 29 games and he’s lost five straight games against Power Five foes. That’s unacceptable.
Miami is playing uninspired, sloppy football and Diaz has to be blamed.
He needs a quick turnaround or the Hurricanes will be looking for a new coach for 2022.