College Football World Reacts to Middle Tennessee’s Epic Upset Over Miami
It was a rough afternoon in Miami Gardens on Saturday as No. 25 Miami (2–2) lost its second game of the season in a stunning upset against Middle Tennessee (3–1).
Led by coach Rick Stockstill, the Blue Raiders put together all-around dominant effort to shock the Hurricanes, recording a whopping 507 yards of offense while holding Miami to 10 first-half points en route to securing a 45–31 victory on the road.
The win marked MTSU’s first over an AP-ranked opponent in program history (previously 0–24), and improved the team’s record against Miami to 3–0 all-time. The embarrassing loss is Miami’s third in its last four games against Conference USA competition, a startling stat made worse by the fact that Saturday’s defeat just so happened to fall on first-year coach and Miami alum Mario Cristobal’s 52nd birthday.
Today is head coach Mario Cristobal's birthday.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 24, 2022
The Miami Hurricanes are struggling... 😫https://t.co/bDBccNzPcj
The events of Saturday’s rout captivated the college football world as viewers looked to see if MTSU, whom Miami paid $1.5 million to play on its own turf, could pull off the huge win.
MTSU’s defense set the tone early with two interceptions and a fumble recovery on Miami’s first three possessions; the second INT was returned by defensive tackle Zaylin Wood for a 15-yard touchdown. After setting up a field goal on MTSU’s first possession, quarterback Chase Cunningham recovered from a pick of his own and tossed a 71-yard TD. Cunningham also ran in another to give MTSU a 24–3 lead.
From there, the Blue Raiders continued to apply pressure, forcing a turnover on downs and another fumble while allowing one TD before halftime. The Hurricanes began the second half with two punts before attempting to mount a furious comeback, only to be matched by MTSU at nearly every turn. The teams accounted for three touchdown drives a piece, two of which came on absurd 69 and 98-yard Cunningham completions. But, in the end, it was the Blue Raiders who emerged from Hard Rock Stadium with the bragging rights.
In the immediate aftermath of the blowout, the CFB world had quite a few things to say about Miami’s meltdown. Check out some of the best reactions to Saturday’s stunner below:
MIDDLE TENNESSEE TAKES DOWN MIAMI! pic.twitter.com/p3s62Le8ZG
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 24, 2022
I listened to the second half of the Miami game on my drive back to KC. It’s not just the letdown after A&M. Miami fans have seen it before. It’s that this team imploded in every way imaginable vs. a G5 team it was favored to beat by 26 points.
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) September 24, 2022
BREAKING: Texas and Miami are still NOT back.
— John Talty (@JTalty) September 24, 2022
There aren’t many mysteries or miracles in college football. Miami has the roster talent of a second-tier ACC team which means they play like one. This has been true for 15 years. Everything else is overthinking it.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) September 24, 2022
It's one thing to lose to a mid-major, but Miami is getting humiliated. They have now given up passes of 98, 89, 71 and 69 yards.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 24, 2022
To Middle Tennessee.
It's not just that No. 25 Miami lost to Middle Tennessee 45-31 in Miami.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) September 24, 2022
It's that the Miami Hurricanes paid $1.5 million for the privilege.
Good for Tennessee. Glad one of the annual "THEY'RE BACK" teams actually made it out of September unscathed.
— Derek Schultz (@Schultz975) September 24, 2022
Sorry, Texas and Miami :(
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