PITTSBURGH — Less than 1 1/2 weeks ago, University of Miami athletic director Blake James made it clear to coach Manny Diaz and the public that the football team needed to win more than it had.
The explosive Miami Hurricanes offense fans have been looking for showed up early and often against No. 17 Pittsburgh, but when it mattered most, it was UM’s defense that delivered with the game-changing play the Hurricanes needed to upset the Panthers on Saturday at Heinz Field.
With Miami up 38-34 midway through the fourth quarter and the Panthers’ on UM’s side of the field, true freshman safety James Williams picked off Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett at Miami’s 4-yard line to give the Hurricanes possession.