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Duke vs. Miami Football 2015: A Controversial Finish
The 2015 Duke vs. Miami Hurricanes football game is remembered for its incredibly controversial ending. Miami won 30-27 thanks to an eight-lateral kickoff return touchdown as time expired, a play riddled with officiating errors and debated legality. This dramatic finish ignited a national conversation about replay review and the application of NCAA football rules.
The Setting
Heading into the game, both Duke and Miami were vying for position in the ACC Coastal Division. Duke, under Coach David Cutcliffe, was seeking to solidify its status as a rising program. Miami, coached by Al Golden (who would soon be fired), was looking to turn around a season that hadn’t met expectations. The game, played on Halloween (October 31, 2015) at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, had significant implications for both teams’ bowl aspirations.
The Game’s Flow
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads throughout. Duke held a late lead, putting Miami in a desperate situation. The Hurricanes needed a miracle to avoid a potentially crippling loss, and that’s exactly what they got – or thought they got.
The Infamous Kickoff Return
With no time on the clock and facing a kickoff, Miami executed a series of laterals that stretched nearly the length of the field. Eight different Miami players touched the ball before Corn Elder finally reached the end zone. However, replays clearly showed multiple Miami players were down by contact before the laterals, and one player’s knee was down, any of which should have ended the play. These errors were overlooked by the officiating crew, and the touchdown was allowed to stand. You can read about the details of the game and controversy on Wikipedia.
The Aftermath and Controversy
The immediate aftermath was chaos. Duke fans were furious, while Miami players celebrated wildly. Duke coach David Cutcliffe expressed his outrage, and the ACC issued a statement acknowledging mistakes were made. The officiating crew was suspended, and the play led to significant discussions about improving replay review processes in college football. Ultimately, the result of the game stood, but the controversy surrounding the ending continues to be debated.
FAQs
Why was the touchdown allowed to stand?
Despite multiple clear errors by the officiating crew that should have stopped the play, the touchdown was allowed to stand due to a failure to properly review all aspects of the play during replay review. The ACC later acknowledged the mistakes.
What were the specific officiating errors?
Replays showed that multiple Miami players were down by contact and a player’s knee was down, which should have ended the play at those points. However, these instances were missed by the officials during the review process.
What was the ACC’s response to the controversy?
The ACC acknowledged that errors were made and suspended the officiating crew for their performance in the game. They also reviewed their replay review protocols.
Did the game affect the bowl eligibility of either team?
While the result of this game did impact both team’s records in the ACC Coastal Division, the effects on their bowl eligibility were not decisive. Miami finished with an 8-5 record and accepted a bid to play in the Sun Bowl. Duke also finished with an 8-5 record and accepted a bid to play in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Who won the ACC Coastal Division in 2015?
North Carolina won the ACC Coastal Division in 2015.
Summary
The 2015 Duke vs. Miami football game will forever be remembered for its bizarre and controversial ending. The Hurricanes’ improbable kickoff return touchdown, marred by multiple officiating errors, sparked widespread outrage and led to significant changes in how college football games are reviewed. The game remains a point of contention for Duke fans and a reminder of the impact officiating can have on the outcome of a game.
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