The Miami Hurricanes made sure history didn’t repeat itself—except in their favor. Carson Beck threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score, Mark Fletcher Jr. ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 5 Miami stayed unbeaten with a dominant 49-12 victory over No. 18 South Florida on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes (3-0) became the first team since their own 1987 national championship squad to start a season with three straight wins over AP-ranked opponents. They did so in emphatic fashion, recording their largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent since the 65-7 rout of Washington in 2001—their last national title season.
“This was about sending a message,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “We respect USF and what they’ve done early this season, but our guys came here focused, physical, and ready to dominate.”
Beck was nearly flawless, completing 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards. He connected twice in the first quarter with Joshua Moore for touchdowns, quickly putting Miami in control. Fletcher’s bruising running style once again made the difference, notching his second straight two-score game.
Miami is now 6-0 against in-state opponents since the start of last season, winning those games by an average of 34.5 points.
The Bulls (2-1), who opened the season with statement wins over Boise State and Florida, were denied their shot at joining the 1987 Hurricanes as the only team in the AP poll era to win three straight games against ranked opponents to start a season.
Quarterback Byrum Brown threw for 274 yards and a touchdown but also tossed an interception late in the first half, ending his school-record streak of 252 consecutive passes without being picked off. Christian Neptune caught a 12-yard TD pass, while receiver Chas Nimrod was a bright spot with four receptions for 128 yards, including grabs of 53 and 43 yards.
The game was halted for 1 hour, 41 minutes in the first half due to severe weather in the area, stretching the contest to nearly five hours from kickoff to finish. Miami’s energy never wavered, while USF struggled to regain rhythm after the delay.
South Florida: Hosts South Carolina State next Saturday. Miami: Hosts Florida in a marquee in-state showdown.
With another convincing win, Miami not only stays perfect but also strengthens its case as a legitimate national championship contender—just like the Hurricanes of old.
