The game lasted well into Sunday, ending after 2 a.m. Eastern Time. East Coast fans who chose to sleep through the Miami Hurricanes’ game against Cal couldn’t be blamed. Maybe they tuned out as Miami trailed 35-10 or decided to call it quits when the gap widened to 38-18 early in the fourth quarter. But those who woke up Sunday morning found stunning news: an unbelievable comeback. Miami 39, Cal 38. It was one of those games you had to see to believe, and even if you didn’t, it’s already cemented a place in Miami’s history—and maybe in college football history as well.
“This was the best example of resilience, toughness, and a refusal to quit that I’ve ever been a part of,” said head coach Mario Cristobal. Miami’s incredible rally spoiled what would have been a historic night for Cal and earned the Hurricanes a bye week after a game to remember. The last time Miami rallied from a 25-point deficit was against the Florida Gators in 2003.
It was a chaotic Saturday in college football, with top-10 teams like Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, and Michigan all losing. Miami seemed poised to join them, but instead pulled off a miracle comeback, staying undefeated at 6-0 and likely rising from their No. 8 ranking. With the win, Miami bolstered its ACC title hopes and positioned itself as a serious College Football Playoff contender. Quarterback Cam Ward, who led the comeback, has now emerged as a top Heisman Trophy candidate. NFL scouts are reassessing his draft potential after his incredible game: 35 completions on 53 attempts for 437 yards and two touchdowns, including 277 offensive yards in the fourth quarter alone—the highest by any player in seven years.
Ward’s season stats now stand at 2,380 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, pushing him to the forefront of the Heisman race. If he does win, Saturday night’s comeback may well be the moment that clinches it.
Cal, coming into the game at 3-1, was hosting ESPN’s *College GameDay* for the first time and playing its first ACC home game, setting a festive mood. With a 38-18 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears looked to be in control. But then Ward ignited the unthinkable.
First, he connected with Isaiah Horton on an 18-yard touchdown to bring it to 38-25 with 10:28 left. A few minutes later, he scrambled for a 28-yard touchdown, trimming the lead to 38-32. On the final drive, Ward completed a 77-yard pass to Xavier Restrepo, aided by a personal foul penalty, and converted a critical 3rd-and-20. With just 26 seconds left, Ward found Elijah Arroyo for the game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass, silencing the Cal fans—except for the jubilant Miami supporters in attendance.
Ward, a transfer from Washington State and Miami’s one-year standout, received high praise from his teammates. “When No. 1 has the ball, the game is never over,” said Restrepo. Despite the win, Ward was self-critical. “We can’t keep putting ourselves in these situations. That’s two straight games. We have to lock in. But a win’s a win, and we’re not complaining.”
This comeback marked Miami’s second consecutive dramatic finish, following a close win over Virginia Tech the previous week. Cristobal acknowledged the team’s struggles, saying, “We were doing a lot of routine things wrong early on.” But the team’s belief and grit ultimately led them to a remarkable victory.
After the bye week, Miami will face another challenging road game against No. 22 Louisville. On an upset-filled Saturday, the Hurricanes emerged unscathed—solidifying their status as a team to watch. Good morning, Miami.