COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Appropriately, It’s a Comeback for Miami, 35-24

The Miami Hurricanes concluded a come-from-behind regular season with a comeback victory Saturday night.

Danyell Ferguson rushed for 163 yards and Miami scored the final 21 points to beat Syracuse, 35-24, and earn a share of the Big East Conference championship.

The Hurricanes, who have won seven consecutive games since a 1-3 start, may get a chance to renew their rivalry with Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s night.

“This game epitomizes what the whole season was like,” said Butch Davis, Miami’s first-year coach. “We struggled early and never quit.”

Miami trailed, 24-14, at halftime before taking charge with three long touchdown drives.

Tremain Mack helped Miami shut out Syracuse in the second half by intercepting two of Donovan McNabb’s passes and deflecting a 20-yard field goal attempt.

“We came out flat in the second half,” McNabb said.

The No. 25-ranked Hurricanes, 8-3 overall and 6-1 in the Big East, tied No. 13 Virginia Tech for the conference title.

No. 22 Syracuse is 8-3, 5-2.

Although bowl selections won’t be announced until next weekend, the Hurricanes may stay home to face Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

Virginia Tech probably will settle for the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, and Syracuse will play in the Carquest Bowl on Dec. 30.