ARLINGTON, Texas – The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes fell to No. 25 LSU, 33-17, at the 2018 Advocare Classic on Sunday.
The Hurricanes outgained the Tigers, 342-296, but were unable to overcome costly penalties, turnovers and field position in the season opener as they contributed to its own defeat nearly as much as LSU did at AT&T Stadium.
Less than five minutes into the game, sophomore defensive back Trajan Bandy was ejected for targeting after a hit on LSU wide receiver Dee Anderson. Instead of a hit that caused a LSU fumble on its opening drive, UM was unable to recover the fumble and lost a key starter on defense for the remainder of the game.
After teams exchanged a pair of field goals, Miami started to gain momentum towards the end of the first quarter until freshman kicker Bubba Baxa missed a 45-yard field goal attempt wide left.
The Tigers followed with 24 unanswered points over the remainder of the first half, led by running back Nick Brossette’s two touchdown runs and a 45-yard interception return by Jacob Phillips.
LSU was able to capitalize on eight Miami penalties to jump out to a 27-3 first half lead, which includes a defensive penalty on each of the Tigers’ four first half scoring drives.
LSU picked off Malik Rosier a second time when the redshirt senior, who was hit as he threw, sailed a pass intended for Mike Harley high and was intercepted by John Battle. The Tigers converted the turnover into another field goal that just skimmed over the crossbar to give LSU a 30-point lead with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter.
Wide receiver Jeff Thomas made an athletic catch on the LSU sideline to give Miami a boost late in the third quarter. Malik Rosier rushed for a three-yard touchdown to close the gap to 33-10 with 13:57 left in the game.
One possession later, Rosier and Thomas connected again for a 50-yard gain on third and long to keep the drive alive before freshman Brian Hightower hauled in a 32-yard touchdown from Rosier on the next play.
Back-to-back pass interference penalties on LSU moved Miami into LSU territory on its next possession, but the Tigers’ defense held firm and Miami turned the ball over on downs with 4:40 left in the game.
Senior defensive back Jaquon Johnson led the Hurricanes with 11 total tackles, while defensive linemen Gerald Willis III and Jonathan Garvin had seven tackles for loss and two sacks combined.
Rosier was 15 of 35 for 259 yards, but only has five total touchdowns and seven interceptions in the current Hurricanes four game losing streak dating back to late season.
Ahmmon Richards (knee) and Demetrius Jackson (knee) were the most serious injuries from tonight, but head coach Mark Richt said he doesn’t think either is serious.
Miami will play its second game of the season on Saturday, as they host Savannah State at 6 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Hurricanes outgained the Tigers, 342-296, but were unable to overcome costly penalties, turnovers and field position in the season opener as they contributed to its own defeat nearly as much as LSU did at AT&T Stadium.
Less than five minutes into the game, sophomore defensive back Trajan Bandy was ejected for targeting after a hit on LSU wide receiver Dee Anderson. Instead of a hit that caused a LSU fumble on its opening drive, UM was unable to recover the fumble and lost a key starter on defense for the remainder of the game.
After teams exchanged a pair of field goals, Miami started to gain momentum towards the end of the first quarter until freshman kicker Bubba Baxa missed a 45-yard field goal attempt wide left.
The Tigers followed with 24 unanswered points over the remainder of the first half, led by running back Nick Brossette’s two touchdown runs and a 45-yard interception return by Jacob Phillips.
LSU was able to capitalize on eight Miami penalties to jump out to a 27-3 first half lead, which includes a defensive penalty on each of the Tigers’ four first half scoring drives.
LSU picked off Malik Rosier a second time when the redshirt senior, who was hit as he threw, sailed a pass intended for Mike Harley high and was intercepted by John Battle. The Tigers converted the turnover into another field goal that just skimmed over the crossbar to give LSU a 30-point lead with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter.
Wide receiver Jeff Thomas made an athletic catch on the LSU sideline to give Miami a boost late in the third quarter. Malik Rosier rushed for a three-yard touchdown to close the gap to 33-10 with 13:57 left in the game.
One possession later, Rosier and Thomas connected again for a 50-yard gain on third and long to keep the drive alive before freshman Brian Hightower hauled in a 32-yard touchdown from Rosier on the next play.
Back-to-back pass interference penalties on LSU moved Miami into LSU territory on its next possession, but the Tigers’ defense held firm and Miami turned the ball over on downs with 4:40 left in the game.
Senior defensive back Jaquon Johnson led the Hurricanes with 11 total tackles, while defensive linemen Gerald Willis III and Jonathan Garvin had seven tackles for loss and two sacks combined.
Rosier was 15 of 35 for 259 yards, but only has five total touchdowns and seven interceptions in the current Hurricanes four game losing streak dating back to late season.
Ahmmon Richards (knee) and Demetrius Jackson (knee) were the most serious injuries from tonight, but head coach Mark Richt said he doesn’t think either is serious.
Miami will play its second game of the season on Saturday, as they host Savannah State at 6 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.
