Saturday, December 27, 2008

Sports Network: Cal forces late turnover to edge Miami in Emerald Bowl

Nate Longshore threw the go-ahead two- yard touchdown pass to Anthony Miller with 2:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, as California capitalized on a late turnover to beat Miami-Florida, 24-17, in the Emerald Bowl.

Jahvid Best ran for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 20 carries for the Golden Bears (9-4), who won their fourth straight bowl game. Longshore connected on 10-of-21 passes for 121 yards.  Zack Follett sacked Jacory Harris, forcing a fumble, and Cameron Jordan made the recovery, and the short return set up the Golden Bears at the two. After Best was stopped for no gain, Longshore rolled to his right and threw between defenders to the end zone to find Miller for the TD.

Harris completed 25-of-41 passes for 194 yards with a pair of TDs and an interception for the Hurricanes (7-6), who were short-handed due to five suspensions for players violating team rules under first-year coach Randy Shannon. That included starting QB Robert Marve. Others who missed the game were tight ends Richard Gordon and Tervaris Johnson, linebacker Jordan Futch and punt snapper Chris Ivory. Tight end Dedrick Epps didn't play because of a bruised leg.

After Cal's go-ahead TD, the Hurricanes wasted several precious seconds with a freshman at quarterback. Miami used a pair of timeouts in the third quarter, leaving them with little choice, but to try and conserve their final stoppage. Harris completed a 4th-and-1 pass to Chris Zellner, moving the ball to the Miami 44, but the Hurricanes used their last timeout with 12 seconds left to set up a 3rd-and-5 near midfield. Harris threw incomplete and then on the final play he was pressured from behind and Graig Cooper ended up getting the loose ball, but was stopped after a 14-yard gain.

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