UM Hurricanes fans bring excitement, leave without victory

University of Miami fans seemingly spent much of their energy and thousands of dollars Monday to cheer on the Hurricanes during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, but their efforts didn’t pay off with a victory.

The Indiana Hoosiers finished with a 27-21 win over the Hurricanes.

“We did it all the way until the last minute,” Canes fan Dominique Dumornay said after the loss.

As the Hoosiers poured onto the Hard Rock Stadium field at the start of the game, some Canes fans booed, threw thumbs down and another finger with a more offensive meaning.

“Let’s go, Canes,” supporters shouted while swinging orange towels passed out at the entrance.

Hurricanes’ fan energy wavered during the first half of the game but picked back up in the third quarter after the Canes scored their first touchdown. They were on their feet again, shouting by the second touchdown in the forth but most left the game looking defeated.

Dumornay said it was disappointing to come into UM’s home stadium and see red everywhere.

“I was like, wow, where are the Canes,” she said.

The loss sucked, but the Hurricanes did a great job, she said. Indiana recently got a great coach, Curt Cignetti, who “has got that dog in him,” and had point to prove, she said.

During the tailgate, UM fans were optimistic.

Latrice Simmons said she had a personal stake in the outcome: Her cousin, Rueben Bain Jr., is a defensive lineman for the Canes, she said.

Simmons said it would have meant so much to Bain’s family to see him win the national championship game. He’s been successful on and off the field.

“I cry every game,” Simmons said, referencing how proud she is of Bain. Simmons was among many rowdy UM fans tailgating.

UM fans were dancing, drinking, chanting and getting hyped up for the game inside the gates, too.

A larger group of UM fans got in a circle, put their arms around each other and bowed their heads toward the ground in a huddle while music played in the background. A group of four women were skipping around in matching green and orange striped jumpsuits. At the tailgate, Robert Clark, 27, of Orlando, was confident Miami was going to beat Indiana. He spent $4,000 on his ticket, but said it was completely worth it. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Clark said.

Dan Perry, of Marathon, echoed the sentiment. He has been a fan since he was 3 years old, and he snagged his $4,200 ticket just four hours before the game.

“My brother paid on his credit card,” Perry said. “I owe him some money.”

Perry recalled all the victories, losses and stadiums he has seen over the decades. If the Canes win the championship game Monday night, Perry joked he was headed to Disney World.

However, it was apparent by the end of the night that Monday’s game would be another loss Perry would recall.

“It’s Miami versus the world, always,” Perry said.