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No. 2 Miami (Fla.) shocked by Pittsburgh dealing blow to College Football Playoff hopes

The Hurricanes suffered a major blow to their College Football Playoff hopes.
Nov 24, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Dewayne Hendrix (8) recovers a fumble by Miami Hurricanes quarterback Malik Rosier (12) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 Miami (Fla.) was shocked by Pittsburgh 24-14, dealing the Hurricanes a major blow to their College Football Playoff hopes.

The Miami offense struggled all game on the road with just one touchdown drive on its first 13 possessions. Pittsburgh scored 21 consecutive points after the Hurricanes took a 7-3 lead in the second quarter.

Freshman quarterback Kenny Pickett ran for two touchdowns and threw for another for the Panthers, who shocked Clemson last year on the road. The Tigers then went on to win the national championship.

The Hurricanes will have to hope history repeats itself. They face face Clemson next week in the ACC championship game next Saturday. With the loss to the Panthers, they now likely saw any chance of making the field without beating the Tigers in Charlotte.

Quarterback Malik Rosier, who had led the team to wins in each of its first 10 games this season, was pulled in the fourth quarter after missing several open receivers. He eventually returned in the following series, but Miami was down 17.

Rosier found Braxton Berrios on a 39-yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes remaining to make it 24-14. The Hurricanes then recovered an onside kick to give them one last chance, but the Panthers forced a fumble to seal the game.

Rosier finished 15-of-34 for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

Miami, which entered the game with the longest active win streak in the country at 15 games, was held to a season-low 229 yards.

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