No. 3 Miami Struggles for 24-14 Victory

Freshman linebacker Maurice Crum returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown, helping Orange Bowl-bound Miami struggle past Toledo, 24-14, Saturday night.

The third-ranked Hurricanes (9-0) accepted an invitation before the game to play No. 2 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. Oklahoma (11-0) beat No. 1 Nebraska, 17-7, earlier in the day.

For the second straight game, heavily favored Miami failed to dominate as expected. The Hurricanes needed two touchdowns in the final five minutes last week to beat Virginia Tech, 27-13.

Toledo (3-7-1) outgained Miami 307 yards to 294, and the Rockets’ Neil Trotter gained a game-high 123 yards rushing.

Miami scored on a 41-yard Greg Cox field goal, a 1-yard pass from Steve Walsh to Cleveland Gary, a 1-yard run by Melvin Bratton in addition to Crum’s fumble return.

Miami receiver Michael Irvin tied a school record by catching a pass in his 30th straight game.