Hurricanes’ Historic 2024 Run Ends in 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl Loss

(Photo courtesy of Jar-Lar / Wikimedia Commons)

In a season filled with highs, the Miami Hurricanes’ 2024 campaign came to a crushing and dramatic end on Saturday night's Pop-Tarts Bowl when the Iowa State Cyclones defeated them 42-41.

The loss at Camping World Stadium capped a historic year for the Hurricanes, who finished the season 10-3.

Despite Miami's explosive offense and record-breaking feats, it was a last-minute touchdown by Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht that sealed the win and sent the Cyclones to their 11th victory of the season.

The game, which featured 939 yards of offense, 12 touchdowns, and plenty of dramatic twists, was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable season for both teams.

For the Canes, Ward’s record-breaking performance, along with a career-high 179 yards rushing from Martinez, gave them a strong first-half lead.

But Iowa State's relentless attack, combined with Miami’s late-game miscues, proved to be too much to overcome.

The action kicked off with a Miami mistake when the Canes fumbled the opening snap, and Iowa State linebacker Cael Brezina pounced on it at the Miami 22-yard line.

It didn’t take long for the Cyclones to capitalize, as Becht connected with tight end Gabe Burkle for a nine-yard touchdown just six plays later, giving Iowa State a quick 7-0 lead.

Miami answered in style, as Damien Martinez broke through the Cyclones' defense for a 75-yard touchdown run on the very next offensive play.

The game was tied at 7-7 less than four minutes in, and the back-and-forth action had only just begun.

Iowa State responded with a 30-yard touchdown run from running back Carson Hansen, but Miami matched them with a 75-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Jacolby George.

The game was tied again, 14-14, and it was clear this would be no ordinary bowl game.

The Cyclones were quick to respond, with Becht hitting wide receiver Jaylin Noel for a 49-yard strike down the left sideline.

Hansen found the end zone again for his second touchdown of the game, putting Iowa State up 21-14.

Ward, however, was in command for the Canes.

The Miami quarterback, already a Heisman finalist, delivered a 24-yard completion to tight end Elijah Arroyo on 3rd-and-7 to keep the chains moving, then found wide receiver Jojo Trader for a 40-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-13.

The game was tied once again.

The back-and-forth continued when Becht went 5-for-6 for 77 yards, finishing with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Hansen.

Iowa State regained the lead at 28-21.

But Miami wasn't done, as Martinez gashed the Cyclones for 39 yards on his next two runs, setting up a 33-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Arroyo to tie the game at 28-28.

With the first half winding down, Miami's defense forced Iowa State's first punt of the game, and the Canes took over at the Cyclones’ 48-yard line.

Ward moved the ball with both his arm and his legs, and a 30-yard field goal from Andy Borregales gave Miami its first lead of the game, 31-28, at halftime.

At that point, Miami had averaged 9.4 yards per play, with Martinez racking up 132 rushing yards—the most by an ACC player in the first half of a bowl game since Lamar Jackson’s 2015 Music City Bowl performance.

The second half began with Miami forcing a quick three-and-out, giving the Canes a chance to extend their lead.

Backup quarterback Emory Williams came in for Ward and kept the offense rolling.

Martinez and Mark Fletcher Jr. combined for 63 yards on a 71-yard drive, with Fletcher powering his way into the end zone from a yard out. Miami was up 38-28.

But Iowa State answered quickly.

Becht engineered a methodical drive, and after converting a crucial 4th-and-1 from Miami's two-yard line, he threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Noel to bring the Cyclones within three, 38-35.

Miami’s offense then stalled. A fumbled snap on a punt attempt by the Canes led to a 28-yard gain by tight end Elijah Lofton, but Miami still couldn’t capitalize.

They eventually settled for a 21-yard field goal by Borregales to push their lead to six, 41-35.

With the clock winding down, Iowa State took over at their 16-yard line with 6:34 left.

Becht, unshaken by the deficit, made key completions to Noel, including a 29-yard strike that moved Iowa State deep into Miami’s red zone.

The Cyclones kept pushing, and with 56 seconds left, Becht capped a 15-play, 84-yard drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak to put Iowa State ahead 42-41.

But, Miami wasn’t finished yet.

Williams managed to move the ball to the 40-yard line with one final shot at a Hail Mary.

However, as time expired, his pass was intercepted by Iowa State’s Charlie Whelpley, sealing the Cyclones’ dramatic 42-41 victory.

While Miami’s explosive offense and historic performances from Ward and Martinez were the story for much of the game, Iowa State’s late surge and Miami’s inability to hold on in the final minute cost the Hurricanes a chance at a bowl victory.

It was a bitter end to a season that had promised so much, leaving Miami with a 10-3 record and a sense of what might have been.