Miami’s football team dropped its second straight game on Saturday night, falling 41-31 to North Carolina. And while this loss wasn’t quite as bad as the one that came one week prior against Georgia Tech, it did feature another confounding mistake from a coach.
Trailing 14-7 late in the second quarter, the Tar Heels drove deep into Hurricanes territory. Facing a fourth-and-one on its own 20, North Carolina lined up to go for it. But the fourth down play never occurred. A Miami penalty gave the Tar Heels a first down. But this wasn’t simply a Hurricane biting on a hard snap count and jumping offsides. In fact, no Miami player committed any penalty. So, what happened?
The Hurricanes seemingly had some issues with substitutions and took a time-out, which seemed unnecessary. North Carolina had used substitutions. As such, the official was standing over the ball, giving Miami a chance to answer. But with apparent communication issues between the bench and the players on the field, the time-out made some sense. Better safe than sorry.
But before the time out was granted, Hurricanes defensive coordinator Lance Guidry was on the field. That is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. And this wasn’t a ticky-tack situation, with officials penalizing Guidry for being a step or two on the field. When the penalty was thrown, Guidry was inside the numbers.
For the second time in as many games, Miami's coaching staff can't get out of its own way.
This time, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry is flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct, giving North Carolina a first down. pic.twitter.com/cxAoV4zixV
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 15, 2023
North Carolina scored a touchdown three plays later. Miami did manage to retake the lead with a field goal as time expired at the end of the second quarter. But the Tar Heels dominated the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns to open up a 35-14 lead.
This mistake wasn’t as bad as Mario Cristobal’s against Georgia Tech. But a second huge mistake by the Miami coaches in two games — both losses — got the attention of the college football world.
Miami’s emotionally out of control. Lance Guidry with an unsportsmanlike penalty now. Ridiculous.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) October 15, 2023
What a ridiculous sequence of events. Mario Cristobal is standing by right next to the ref calling timeout. Lance Guidry is halfway to midfield. Not great.
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) October 15, 2023
Miami defensive coordinator Lance guidry draws a 15 yard penalty for running onto the field
WAY onto the field
Good thing Mario got the coaching stuff cleaned up
— BuckMetrics (@buckmetrics) October 15, 2023
Miami would be undefeated if it didn't have coaches. https://t.co/WgSz8hZkd7
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) October 15, 2023
[Photo Credit: ABC]
