No. 8 Miami Hurricanes Take Control In Second Half And Defeat Bulls 50-15

Miami scores seven touchdowns and a two-point conversion to take the lead. A 76-yard bomb from Cam Ward to Sam Brown was the difference in the first half. Cam Ward finished with 404 yards passing for and three touchdowns,

Sep 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; DUPLICATE***Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass against the South Florida Bulls in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

TAMPA, FL - Cam Ward threw for 404 yards and three touchdowns to lead the University of Miami to a 50-15 victory over the University of South Florida, Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium. Damien Martinez rushed for three touchdowns, while freshman Jordan Lyle had six carries for 104 yards, including a 91-yard score in the fourth quarter.

"They pitched a shutout in the second half and played to the standard of Miami Hurricane football," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. "As for Cam Ward, he's the ultimate leader. The defense feeds off of him and he feeds off of the defense."

Ward got off to a slow start, but got in the groove and started to find the open receivers.

"I was too antsy for the big play, but if I put it around them, they are going to make plays," Ward said."I just have to throw to wide-open people and hand the ball off. These guys make my job easy."

The Hurricanes are off to a historic start as they have scored 50 points for the third time this season. The last time Miami had three 50-point games was in 2001. Many know how that season ended, and if it continues, the Canes will be back in the national championship circles again.

Fourth Quarter:

When Ward's night was done, Miami's running game got going. After a punt was downed at the Miami 4-yard line, it took Miami two plays to hang 50 on the Bulls. Jordan Lyle raced 91 yards down the left flank to score the longest touchdown of the season. Miami 50, USF 15.

Following a Meesh Powell interception in the end zone, Ward led Miami down the field for a 10-play, 80-yard drive punctuated with a five-yard toss to Xavier Restrepo to increase their lead. It was Ward's third touchdown pass of the night. During the dribe, Ward went over 400 yards for the first time this season. Miami 43, USF 15.

Third Quarter:

Damien Martinez scored on a one-yard dive with :55 to play in the third quarter. The play before Isaiah Horton made a spectacular back-shoulder catch for an apparent touchdown, He was called down at the goal line. Miami 36, USF 15.

After forcing a USF punt on the first dirve of the third quarter, Miami moved down the field methodically and marched 80 yards for a touchdown, It was a 12-play drive that took 5;51 off the clock. Damien Martinez scored on a one-yard burst behind the interior offensive line, Miami 29, USF 15.

Second Quarter:

After USF took the lead right before the half, Miami struck back on a two-play 80-yard drive. Ward connected with Sam Brown on a fly pattern down the left side of the field which was good for a 76-yard touchdown. Brown caught the ball at midfield and then outraced the entire secondary to the end zone. It was Miami's longest play of the season. Miami then converted the two-point conversion as Ward found Damien Martinez at the goal line. Miami 22, USF 15.

John Cannon drives home a 45-yard field goal to cap a 93 yard drive with 2:33 left in the second quarter. South Florida used a lot of tempo and quick substitutions to throw Miami off on the drive. USF 15, Miami 14.

Nico Grammatica nails a 51-yard field goal, his second long kick of the half to cut the lead to two points, Miami 14, USF 12.

First Quarter:

Cam Ward moved Miaimi 90 yards in seven plays for Miami's next score. Ward tossed a six-yard scoring strike to Isaiah Horton to give Miami the lead. Miami 14, USF 9.

Following a Ward interception, Byrum Brown caught a touchdown pass from Sean Atkins which started on the Miami 12 yard line. The play was a reverse, flea-flicker and Brown was wide open on the right side. The PAT was blocked. USF 9, Miami 7.

Freshman Nico Grammatica nails a 58-yard field goal on 4th and 9 to put USF on the board in the first quarter. The drive was aided by a late hit out of bounds penalty against Kiko Mauigoa which gave USF a first down. Miami 7, USF 3.

Miami moves the ball 75 yards and caps off the drive with a two-yard rush by Damien Martinez. On the drive Miami went two-for-two on third down. They were aided by a holding call on the defense and an unnecessary roughness call on the same play. It put the ball on the five yard line. Miami 7, USF 0.

USF was then flagged for a defensive pass interference and the ball was spotted at the two. Martinez slammed it home on the next play.

Pre-Game:

Right Guard Anez Cooper is out on the field and warming up with no boot or brace on his foot. Mario Cristobal said on Monday he and Jalen Rivers should be healthy enough to start Saturday evening.

Update: Rivers and Rueben Bain are not dressed and will not play. 6;39 PM.

Update: Damari Brown and Ryan Rodriguez are both out tonight. They are not dressed in full uniform ten minutes before game time, 6:49 PM ET.

Unlike last week, there are no clouds in the sky, it's all blue. We are a little more than an hour away from the start of the game.

The field is emerald green and it is cut really short. Watch Miami's speedsters to be even faster.

The Game:

Who: No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) at South Florida Bulls (2-1)

When: September 21, 2024, 7 p.m. ET

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

TV: ESPN

Series: Miami leads 5-1

Last Game: Miami won 49-21, Sept. 28, 2013. The Hurricanes are undefeated at Raymond James Stadium. They are a perfect 3-0 at the cozy confines of RJS.