The Return of the Mack is no joke. Just ask his old defensive coordinator.
New Miami head coach Manny Diaz is still looking for his first victory in charge of the Hurricanes after North Carolina mounted yet another wild fourth quarter comeback to win 28-25 on Saturday night as veteran coach Mack Brown improbably moved to 2-0 on the young season.
The Tar Heels jumped out in front of their ACC opener with 17 points in the first quarter and were generally in control of the game until the ‘Canes eventually chipped away and took the lead late. Quarterback Sam Howell didn’t seem phased however, making it two weeks in a row that the true freshman was able to mount a game-winning drive in the final few minutes after topping South Carolina in a similar manner during Week 1. He finished the night with 274 yards and a pair of touchdowns, the last of which came with 61 seconds left in the game.
Tar Heels back Jarren Williams found the end zone on the ground as well and chipped in with 76 yards rushing as the team delivered their head coach’s first win back in Chapel Hill since 1997.
While the elation was palpable for UNC, the disappointment was all over the faces of the Miami sidelines after they piled up 488 yards of total offense and had their chances throughout. UM quarterback Jarren Williams was an efficient 30-of-39 for 309 yards and two touchdowns but just couldn’t get the team over the hump despite playing well.
Kicker Bubba Baxa had an off night to say the least too, missing a chip-shot 26-yarder in the first half and ending the game with a shanked 49-yarder that would have sent things into overtime.
In the end, Miami starts out 0-2 for the first time since 1978 and puts the trendy ACC Coastal pick behind the sticks in the division race just as it is getting going.