The Miami Hurricanes (3-0) delivered a historic performance on Saturday night, routing Ball State (1-1) with a resounding 62-0 victory at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It was a game that will be remembered not only for its lopsided scoreline but also for the dominant play of Miami quarterback Cameron Ward.
Ward, continuing his remarkable season, threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns in less than three quarters of play. His performance, which marked his third consecutive 300-yard game, propelled Miami to its biggest shutout win over an FBS opponent in school history, surpassing the Hurricanes’ 61-0 thrashing of Rutgers in 2001. Miami piled up a staggering 750 yards of total offense, setting a new school record, while limiting Ball State to just 115 yards.
From the outset, Ward set the tone, connecting with his favorite target, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, on two touchdown passes. He also found Jacolby George, tight end Elijah Arroyo, and running back Chris Johnson Jr. for three more scoring strikes. Ward’s five-touchdown performance was the 10th such feat in Miami’s storied history, falling just one shy of the school record for most passing touchdowns in a game, held by Jarren Williams, who threw six against Louisville in 2019.
Ward’s brilliance capped a weekend of celebration for the Hurricanes, as the team honored the 35th anniversary of their 1989 national championship team, which featured a young offensive lineman named Mario Cristobal — now the head coach guiding the program.
“I couldn’t be prouder of how our guys executed tonight,” Cristobal said. “We talked about starting fast and not letting up, and that’s exactly what we did. Cam [Ward] has been phenomenal all year, and tonight was no different.”
With Miami firmly in control, Ward was subbed out early in the second half, allowing backup quarterback Emory Williams to take over. Williams was nearly flawless in relief, completing 11 of 12 passes for 161 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to tight end Elija Lofton.
Miami’s ground game was also electric. Running back Ajay Allen provided a highlight-reel moment, breaking off a 56-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. Freshman Jordan Lyle added a rushing score late in the game, capping off the Hurricanes’ relentless offensive onslaught.
Ball State struggled to generate any offensive momentum against Miami’s swarming defense. Cardinals quarterback Kadin Semonza completed 16 of 26 passes for just 111 yards, as his team was shut out for the first time since 2011. The Cardinals also remained winless in their history against Top 10 opponents, now falling to 0-9 in such matchups.
The Hurricanes’ dominance on both sides of the ball was evident, and their defensive unit, led by standout performances from linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and defensive back Kamren Kinchens, held Ball State to a paltry 115 total yards and forced three turnovers.
Miami’s 3-0 start is their best in years, and Ward’s consistent excellence is drawing national attention. With three straight 300-yard passing games, the Hurricanes appear poised for a run at the ACC title and potentially a College Football Playoff berth.
The Hurricanes now turn their attention to ACC play, as they prepare for a tough test against rival Florida State in two weeks, a game that will likely carry significant implications for both teams’ postseason aspirations.
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