Miami knocks off No. 17 Pitt, helping to reignite Coastal Chaos

Coastal Chaos is inescapable. The No. 17 Panthers were in the driver’s seat in the Coastal Division, with Kenny Pickett leading Pitt straight down I-79 to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game. But Miami had other plans on Saturday afternoon, blowing into Heinz Field and holding on for a 38-34 victory.

Pitt was favored by -9.5 points at home, per Tipico Sportsbook, but was seemingly playing catch up for most of the game. This is Miami’s second straight win over a ranked team, beating No. 18 N.C. State last weekend to end a two-game losing streak.

The Panthers took an early 7-0 lead, but Miami responded with 21 straight points, as freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke got into a rhythm. Van Dyke finished with an impressive 428 yards on 32-for-42 passing with three touchdowns and an interception. The Canes got fancy for this reverse TD pass to Will Mallory in the first quarter:

REVERSE TD LOADING @CanesFootballpic.twitter.com/qyR9Hzu6g4

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 30, 2021

Miami led 31-17 at the break, but it looked as though Pitt was going to turn the tide in the second half, as it evened the score at 31-all with 5:50 remaining in the third quarter. Van Dyke answered with his third touchdown pass of the day — this one to Key’Shawn Smith — to put the Hurricanes ahead for good.

After getting within four with a field goal, Heisman hopeful Kenny Pickett threw his second interception of the game at the Miami two-yard line. On the next play, Miami was awarded forward progress out of the end zone instead of a safety. The play was reviewed, but there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the call and award Pitt two points and the possession.

Van Dyke found Charleston Rambo for an 18-yard pickup, and Miami was able to convert on 3rd-and-4 to seal the victory.

Pickett slung the ball for 519 yards and three touchdowns, but the senior threw two interceptions on the afternoon.

Now, the door is open in the Coastal as Pitt’s first loss in conference play leaves it susceptible to teams like Virginia, which sits at 4-2 in the ACC. The Cavaliers have two non-conference games against BYU and Notre Dame before heading to face Pitt on November 20 in a game that could determine the conference champ. Miami (2-2) and Virginia Tech (2-2) both also have just two conference losses and can keep things interesting.

Basically, Coastal Chaos is alive and well in 2021.