Miami strikes early, holds off Pittsburgh 29-24

PITTSBURGH -- All the ingredients were there for a collapse. A fired head coach. Dashed expectations. A fan base equal parts angry and apathetic. A locker room in need of some guidance. Larry Scott would have none of it. Neither would his resilient team. Discarded in late October after Al Golden was fired, Scott and Miami responded with a nervy November. Friday's 29-24 win over Pittsburgh left the Hurricanes surging at a time of year in which they often sink instead. "People know us for folding at the end of the season," wide receiver Rashawn Scott said. "We don't got time for that anymore." Miami (8-4, 5-3 ACC) improved to 4-1 under Scott after racing to a 20-point halftime lead then holding on.