TAMPA, Fla. – It has been 22 years since the Miami Hurricanes’ football dynasty ended with the 7-6 record in 2003. The ‘Canes won five national titles between 1983-2002 and could have potentially won three others during that time period.
The team entered the ACC and the talent level disappeared, leaving them with .500 seasons in a conference where they really should have won more from the outset.
Coach Mario Cristobal has ignited the Miami passion, the Hurricanes’ title, and The U’s mantra by signing an incredibly talented group of recruits, led by former Washington State Cougar Cam Ward.
Ward’s prowess was a major force on Saturday night as he passed for 404 yards and threw for three touchdowns as the ‘Canes powered passed the South Florida Bulls, 50-15, at Raymond James Stadium.
“The biggest thing for us was that I missed a lot of throws from playing man coverage, and we knew that they were going to play,” said Ward. “That’s just something I have got to own. The offensive line gave me time to get it downfield. The receivers were winning it early on and I didn’t get it downfield.”
Ward was supplemented by the power of running back Damien Martinez, who scored three rushing touchdowns, but Miami trailed 15-14 just 2:36 before halftime.
“I am extremely proud of the guys for responding the way they did,” said Cristobal. “In the first half, we trailed for the first time this year. In the second half response, we played cleaner and better Miami football.”
Ward has to be near the top of Heisman polls after he finished with his third consecutive 400-yards-plus contest as the Hurricanes trailed for 40 seconds. After he hit former Houston Cougars receiver Sam Brown, Jr., on a 76-yard touchdown pass and the two-point conversion, Miami had a 22-15 margin at halftime.
“We knew we couldn’t help them,” said Ward. “That’s something we emphasized and after that play, we got back to our brand of offense.”
The Hurricanes’ 2024 winds have restored confidence to win any game. South Florida was Miami’s toughest opponent to date, as Coach Alex Golesh has resurrected a moribund program that finished 1-11 two years ago before he came to Tampa. The Bulls are in the AAC regular season championship race as Memphis and Tulane will provide the stiffest competition.
“They are a good football team,” said Cristobal. “They dial it up pretty well. That is the brand of football we want to play. Now, we look forward to the next opportunity.”
Martinez came to Miami from Oregon State, where he ran for 1,185 yards last season. Jordan Lyle complemented him in the backfield on Saturday evening where Lyle scored on a 91-yard run with 3:09 to play to allow the Hurricanes the 50-15 win.
“One thing (competition) puts them on the edge and on their toes and fighting for their jobs,” explained Cristobol. “When you do that, you push your own limits and I think this is a team that epitomizes that.”
The wide receiving duo of Isaiah Horton and Xavier Restrepo complemented Ward and the running attack impeccably well. Horton had eight catches for 108 yards, while Restrepo tallied 99 yards on six catches and each had one touchdown.
Horton gave Miami the lead late in the first quarter when he caught a 6-yard TD pass from Ward and Miami led 14-9 with 1:53 to go in the first quarter.
“The offensive scheme was working for us all week,” said Horton, as his eight catches for 108 yards were each his highest in a game. “Coach is teaching us the right techniques and we used our techniques on the DBs this week.”
Miami had to withstand the early deluge of Bulls field goals from Nico Gramatica, who hit from 58 and 51 yards before John Cannon’s shot from 45 yards gave South Florida the late 15-14 margin. Then, the 76-yard pass from Ward to Brown gave Miami the lead for good at the end of the first half.
