ATLANTA – The fourth-ranked Miami Hurricanes were too much to handle against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday (Nov. 9). It was a tough 28-23 loss on the road that could affect their chances of reaching the ACC title game.

With 1:52 left in the fourth quarter, Miami had a chance to march down the field for a game-winning drive, with Ward ready for action from his team’s 19-yard line. After a pass fell incomplete on first down, Ward was sacked at 1:48 by junior defensive lineman Romello Height, who recovered Jordan Ven Den Berg.

This play ended Miami’s hopes for another comeback victory and sealed its second straight heartbreaking loss to Georgia Tech (6-4; 4-3 ACC). Miami had more first downs (23-18) and more total yards (436-370) than Georgia Tech.

But Miami committed the game’s only turnover, a lost fumble by Ward, and struggled with third-down efficiency, shooting just 3-for-10 (30 percent success rate). By comparison, Georgia Tech earned a score of 9 out of 14 (64.2 percent pass rate) in this all-important area.

With the loss, Miami (9-1; 5-1 in ACC) now sits in second place in the ACC standings with No. 23 Clemson (6-2; 5-1 in ACC). The new ACC leader is No. 13 SMU (8-1; 5-0 in ACC).

The game started with an explosive 65-yard run and then a 16-yard touchdown by junior running back Jamal Haynes with 13:08 left in the first quarter. With an extra point from sophomore kicker Aidan Birr, Georgia Tech quickly took a 7-0 lead over Miami. Georgia Tech’s first scoring drive lasted just four plays for 85 yards and just over two minutes off the clock.

After Georgia Tech’s touchdown, Miami’s offense went to work and answered with a score of its own. In a drive that took just 50 seconds off the clock, Miami’s two plays were a 1-yard run by junior running back Damien Martinez and a 74-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Cam Ward to junior tight end Elijah Arroyo, who played in the end zone untouched. Senior kicker Andres Borreglaes’ extra point tied the game at 7-7 at the 11:59 mark of the first quarter.

From that moment on the game slumped for the rest of the first half. After Miami’s defense forced Georgia Tech into a three-and-out, the offense came back down the field and used an eight-play, 44-yard drive that resulted in a 41-yard field goal by Borregales. Miami took a 10-7 lead over Georgia Tech at 7:47.

One thing to note: On the Canes’ second drive of the game, Ward completed two passes — one of which was a 21-yard pass to senior wide receiver Xavier Restrepo that took them to the Yellow Jackets 28-yard line. Restrepo’s catch was historic as he claimed sole ownership of the all-time lead in receptions with 183 total for the Canes.

The next possession was the longest of the first half as Georgia Tech’s offense was on the field 17 times at 10:45. The 75-yard scoring drive lasted the rest of the first quarter. It ended with 12:02 left in the second quarter with a 5-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Haynes King to Malik Rutherford. A Birr kick gave Georgia Tech the lead back 14-10 over Miami.

Throughout the remainder of the second quarter, both teams traded punts on two drives each, and Miami’s third drive resulted in a turnover on downs. Miami would enter halftime trailing Georgia Tech 14-10.

Aside from Restrepo’s milestone — he added another first-half catch and reached an all-time Canes career leader 184 receptions — Ward threw his 30th touchdown pass, setting a Canes single-season record for quarterback.

Halftime statistics:

Department: 9-18 for 133 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions •Martinez: seven carries for 42 rushing yards (six yards per carry)

Arroyo: two receptions, 73 yards, one touchdown

Total yards: Georgia Tech – 209; Miami-198

Third down conversions: Georgia Tech – 5-for-8 (62.5 percent success rate);

Miami – 1-for-5 (20 percent success rate).

Early in the third quarter, Georgia Tech showed a high level of discipline on both sides of the ball. After forcing Miami to turn the ball over on downs, Georgia Tech used an eight-play, 61-yard drive that took 4:27 off the clock for another score. Tech extended its lead over Miami to 21-10 with 6:46 left in the third quarter. This came via a 15-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Aaron Philo to senior wide receiver Chase Lane and Barr’s third extra point. This would not deter Miami as it used its methodical scoring drive to cut Georgia Tech’s lead to 21-16 with 2:43 remaining in the third quarter.

A nine-play, 83-yard drive ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Ward to sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Horton. A failed two-point conversion followed, keeping Miami’s deficit to Georgia Tech at five points. Tech would win the ball back and methodically drive down the field for nine plays and 75 yards. This crucial drive spanned the remainder of the third quarter until 1:09 into the game, when King reached the end zone on a 5-yard run to make the score 28-16 in Tech’s favor.

The 12-point scoring margin would be preserved after Miami’s next drive lasted 3:05 with seven plays for 47 yards. This drive started at the Miami 25-yard line and Ward completed five of six passes to reach the Georgia Tech 12-yard line before ending with a fourth-down sack of Thomas Gore and Trenaliyas Tatum for a loss of six meters. Miami’s defense would then force a Georgia Tech three-and-out.

This would provide another opportunity for the Canes offense to cut into the Yellow Jackets’ lead. It happened with 6:07 left in the game when Ward fired a 38-yard touchdown pass to Restrepo.

A seven-play, 78-yard drive took 2:17 off the clock as Ward completed five straight passes for 88 yards with the Restrepo score, cutting Georgia Tech’s lead to 28-23. Georgia Tech’s final offensive drive started at its own 15-yard line after a 65-yard kickoff from Borreglaes.

A six-play, 25-yard drive ended with 4:01 off the clock. Georgia Tech would not get past its own 42 yard line on this drive.

And with two hours left in the game on fourth down and three yards to go, Georgia Tech should punt the ball to Miami. T

Miami has a bye next week before playing its final home game of the regular season against Wake Forest on Saturday, November 23.