The scoreboard at Memorial Stadium read Miami 41, Clemson 13 when the clock hit zeros on Saturday night. The Miami Hurricanes made a statement win by showing that they can play in a rowdy environment while fighting through several injuries.
There were multiple veteran players that made huge plays from the first snap to JJ Dunnigan's pick six at the end of the game. CanesInSight is taking a look at three plays that made the biggest difference in the win on Saturday night.
Cooper Barkate 61-yard touchdown
The player that started the fun on Saturday night was Duke transfer wide receiver Cooper Barkate, turning a screen play into a 61-yard touchdown reception. That play alone set the tone the rest of the night for the team and separate the Hurricanes from the Tigers in the first quarter.
Barkate finished the game with five receptions for 98 yards and one score and was a difference maker in the statement win over the Tigers.
Chase Smith fourth down stop
Chase Smith arguably played his best football as a Miami Hurricane. He totaled for six tackles and one tackle for loss, flying around and causing chaos in the backfield all night long.
His best play came on a crucial fourth-and-one, when the Tigers snapped the ball to the running back but got stuffed in the backfield by Smith. The stop put the Hurricanes' offense back on the field just as the Tigers offense was getting into scoring range that could've cut it to one possession.
The fumble that downed the Tigers
After linebacker Chase Smith's huge fourth-down stop, the offense marched downfield 83 yards across 14 plays to go up 24-6 late in the third quarter.
The Tigers' offense was in need of a big response and needed to score quickly, but the Hurricanes' defense stood tall yet again, forcing a fumble that was caused by defensive lineman Ahmad Moten to end the hopes of a late Tigers comeback.
There were multiple veteran players that made huge plays from the first snap to JJ Dunnigan's pick six at the end of the game. CanesInSight is taking a look at three plays that made the biggest difference in the win on Saturday night.
Cooper Barkate 61-yard touchdown
The player that started the fun on Saturday night was Duke transfer wide receiver Cooper Barkate, turning a screen play into a 61-yard touchdown reception. That play alone set the tone the rest of the night for the team and separate the Hurricanes from the Tigers in the first quarter.
Barkate finished the game with five receptions for 98 yards and one score and was a difference maker in the statement win over the Tigers.
Chase Smith fourth down stop
Chase Smith arguably played his best football as a Miami Hurricane. He totaled for six tackles and one tackle for loss, flying around and causing chaos in the backfield all night long.
His best play came on a crucial fourth-and-one, when the Tigers snapped the ball to the running back but got stuffed in the backfield by Smith. The stop put the Hurricanes' offense back on the field just as the Tigers offense was getting into scoring range that could've cut it to one possession.
The fumble that downed the Tigers
After linebacker Chase Smith's huge fourth-down stop, the offense marched downfield 83 yards across 14 plays to go up 24-6 late in the third quarter.
The Tigers' offense was in need of a big response and needed to score quickly, but the Hurricanes' defense stood tall yet again, forcing a fumble that was caused by defensive lineman Ahmad Moten to end the hopes of a late Tigers comeback.
