Miami Gets Victory, but That’s About All : Big East: Hurricanes unimpressive in beating Rutgers, 31-17, dimming their chances at playing in national title game.

Miami defeated Rutgers, but may have lost a shot at playing for the national title on New Year’s Day.

Ryan Collins threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns Saturday, helping the third-ranked Hurricanes overcome a slow start to win, 31-17.

The sluggish victory, coupled with No. 2 Notre Dame’s 31-24 victory over No. 1 Florida State, will probably prevent Miami from moving ahead of either team in this week’s rankings. That might shut the Hurricanes out of a national championship game on Jan. 1.

“I would assume Notre Dame will move up and Florida State will be No. 2,” Miami Coach Dennis Erickson said. “They’ll probably play again in Phoenix (in the Fiesta Bowl).”

Miami, 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the Big East, was heavily favored against Rutgers (4-6, 1-5) but had trouble putting the Scarlet Knights away. Rutgers closed to 24-17 with 13:41 to play on Ray Lucas’ eight-yard touchdown pass to Mario Henry.

Collins then directed a 72-yard drive that included one fourth-down conversion and ended with his four-yard touchdown pass to Gerard Daphnis.

Collins also connected with A.C. Tellison on a 55-yard touchdown pass play. He was 16 of 31 with two interceptions. James Stewart rushed for 107 yards in 14 carries and scored on a 49-yard run.

Miami extended its winning streak at home to 56 games, one shy of Alabama’s NCAA record.

It took the Hurricanes four possessions to earn a first down against Rutgers. But then Stewart scored for a 7-3 lead and Miami scored on its next three possessions to pull ahead, 24-10.