Cody Slovensky
Writer
A windy day in College Station, Texas, made for a challenging game for both teams. Today was the first time that the first half was scoreless since the College Football Playoff began in 2014.
The first half was very eventful, but resulted in zero points scored. In the first quarter, Texas A&M outgained Miami 76 yards to 28 yards. The only notable moment of the quarter was Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed fumbling after being sacked, and the ball being recovered by Miami defensive lineman Armondo Blount. Fortunately for Texas A&M, the fumble did not result in any points for Miami.
In the second quarter, things began to pick up. After a punt by each team, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed found wide receiver Mario Craver for 59 yards down to the Miami 11-yard line. After moving the ball down to the Miami five-yard line, Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr. blocked Texas A&M’s 22-yard field goal attempt. Following this, each team punted again. On Texas A&M’s punt, Miami’s Malachi Toney returned the punt for 55 yards to the Texas A&M 25-yard line. Following a Texas A&M sack, Miami missed a 47-yard field goal. Texas A&M responded with a turnover on downs, giving Miami the ball at the Texas A&M 46-yard line with 1:51 remaining in the half. Wide receiver CJ Daniels caught a short pass and stretched it out for 14 yards. On the next play, quarterback Carson Beck connects with tight end Elija Lofton for eight yards. After a pair of incompletions, Miami misses a 40-yard field goal attempt to end the first half.
0-0 at the half, and Texas A&M has been known for making adjustments at the half and pulling away in the second half.
Miami begins the third quarter moving the ball at will. Starting with a CJ Daniels 15-yard reception. Followed by a 20-yard reception by Keelan Marion. Marion followed that up with a 10-yard reception, and Mark Fletcher added a 24-yard run that got Miami down to the Texas A&M 10-yard line. Miami gets the ball to the three-yard line and has to attempt a field goal, and finally, we have points on the board with Miami leading 3-0 following the 21-yard field goal by Carter Davis.
Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed throws an interception that was returned 36 yards to the Texas A&M 20-yard line by Bryce Fitzgerald. Unfortunately for Miami, Carter Davis missed his third field goal attempt of the day.
Each team traded punts, then Texas A&M closed out the third quarter and began the fourth quarter with a 16-play 67-yard drive that took 7:30 off the clock and resulted in a 35-yard field goal by Randy Bond to tie the game at three. Miami’s Carson Beck finds Malachi Toney for a 12-yard gain, but Toney fumbled, giving Texas A&M the ball back at their own 47-yard line. Texas A&M moves the ball down to the Miami 41-yard line. A Miami sack on third down halted the drive, and Texas A&M was forced to punt.
With 3:50 left in the game, Miami running back starts the drive off with a 56-yard run down to the Texas A&M 30-yard line. After a few plays, Carson Beck finds Malachi Toney again, and this time for 11-yards and a touchdown. This gives Miami the 10-3 lead with 1:49 left to play.
Texas A&M begins its quest to at least go to overtime. A costly roughing the passer call gave Texas A&M a fresh set of downs at the Miami 48-yard line. Texas A&M drives all the way down to the Miami five-yard line, and Bryce Fitzgerald intercepts Marcel Reed once again, sealing the 10-3 victory for Miami.
What a game. A very windy day, causing issues for both teams on special teams. Many missed field goals by each team, with each team performing very well on defense. A few big plays, but none bigger than Miami’s Mark Fletcher hitting the late 56-yard run to set Miami up for their first touchdown of the game. The two interceptions by Bryce Fitzgerald were a huge difference maker. Now Miami will go on to face Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal match-up at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve on ESPN at 7:30PM/ET.
Be sure to check out cfbackers.com for all of your College Football Playoff coverage.
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Editor
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