Miami 21, Florida 16
MIAMI -- Sophomore Tyriq McCord's fourth-quarter strip-sack and recovery helped Miami Hurricanes upset 12th-ranked Florida, 21-16, on Saturday at Sun Life Stadium.
The announced attendance was 76,869, a Miami record at Sun Life.
Florida fell to 1-1 in what is, for now at least, the last scheduled game between the long-time rivals.
With Miami (2-0) leading, 14-9, but scoreless since the first quarter, McCord got to quarterback Jeff Driskel and knocked the ball loose before falling on the fumble at the Florida four-yard-line.
A pass interference penalty on Dante Fowler gave Miami a first down on the two. On the next play, Duke Johnson ran around left end for a touchdown to put Miami up, 21-9, with 3:29 left in the game.
Florida came back with a four-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to make it 21-16 with 2:08 left. The touchdown came on a 21-yard pass from Driskel to Solomon Patton.
Miami's A.J. Highsmith recovered an onside kick, and Florida did not get the ball back until 28 seconds were left at its own 20. Driskell was sacked on first down and the Gators were illegally in motion on second, causing a 10-second runoff that ended the game.
On its first possession of the second half, Florida got a 33-yard field goal by Austin Hart, pulling to within 14-9.
The teams traded interceptions in the fourth quarter.
Stephen Morris overthrew Phillip Dorsett and the pass was picked by Florida freshman Vernon Hargreaves.
Florida reached the Miami 17, but, on third down and three, Driskel's pass was picked off by Tracy Howard. It was Howard's first career interception.
The Gators dominated the first half in terms of total yards, 245-145, and in time of possession, 21:30-8:24, but went to the locker room trailing, 14-6.
Miami scored on its first drive of the game, a nine-play, 50-yard march that started right after linebacker Denzel Perryman's hard hit forced Matt to Jones fumble and Curtis Porter recovered for the Hurricanes.
The scoring play was a seven-yard pass from Morris to Herb Waters, who caught the ball as he streaked to the left corner of the end zone and got a foot down before going out of bounds.
A key play on the drive was a roughing-the-passer penalty against defensive tackle Dominique Easley. If not for the penalty, Miami would have faced a third and 10 from the Florida 15.
Florida pulled to within 7-6 later in the first quarter on a nine-yard sweep around right end by Driskel. The Gators tried a two-point conversion, but the pass play to Trey Burton was stopped short.
The touchdown was set up by Loucheiz Purifoy, who blocked Pat O'Donnell's punt, giving Florida possession at the Miami nine-yard-line.
Miami added to its lead on the next possession, when Morris lofted a perfect deep pass to Dorsett, who had gotten past Marcus Maye for a 52-yard touchdown.
Morris stood in the pocket despite a big hit from nose tackle Damien Jacobs, and the Hurricanes led, 14-6.
On its next drive, Florida had first and goal at the Miami seven, but safety Rayshawn Jenkins intercepted Driskel's pass on third down to end the threat.
Jenkins, who had limped off the field three plays earlier, sat in the middle of the zone before accepting what was a poor decision by Driskel.
The Gators' quarterback also overthrew an open Quinton Dunbar in the end zone on second down.
Florida got to the Miami 16 on its next drive before a hesitant Driskel was stopped for no gain on a quarterback sneak on four and one. The Gators ended a frustrating first half with a 13-play, 66-yard drive was halted on a fumble by Trey Burton. Jimmy Gaines got the strip, and fellow linebacker Thurston Armbrister made the recovery at Miami's 13.
NOTES: Miami CB Ladarius Gunter limped off the field in the first quarter after a block by Florida TE Clay Burton, who was penalized 15 yards for a late hit. Gunter returned later in the game.
