Miami Hurricanes drain the swamp, dominate Florida Gators

Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes kicked off the 2024 season rocking the Florida Gators 41-17 producing a strong week 1 statement at Gainesville. Cam Ward led the way throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns, his first to ninth-year tight end Cam McCormick. Ward is the first Miami quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in his first Hurricanes start since at least 1980. His lone blemish was an interception late in the first quarter. The signal-caller completed 26 of 35 passes spreading the ball to 10 different receivers.

First TD of the 2024 season? Cam to Cam🎯

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— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) August 31, 2024

Xavier Restrepo was the top wideout recording seven catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Restrepo was followed by Elijah Arroyo and Isaiah Horton compiling four catches each for 89 and 70 yards respectively. Damien Martinez got the most carries on the ground with 15 attempts totaling 65 yards. Mark Fletcher Jr., meanwhile, nabbed a pair of rushing touchdowns. Today’s game was the most points Florida has allowed in a home opener in program history. The defense was effective in shutting down the Gators’ offense wracking up eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions.

Cam Ward ➡️ Xavier Restrepo 🟰 6⃣ points

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— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) August 31, 2024

Overall UM ruled the time of possession (34:30-25:30) outpacing their in-state rivals in total yards (529-261), passing yards (385-122), and first downs (25-17). Miami was five for 10 on third down and was five of six in the red zone. There were three notable injuries in Saturday’s contest. Reuben Bain Jr. went down on the first drive, and Graham Mertz exited during the third quarter due to a concussion. Damari Brown also left suffering a soft tissue injury. It was announced both Bain and Brown will be out for a week or two.

Storm surge

After forcing the Gators into a three-and-out to start the game, McCormick received the honor of notching the team’s first touchdown of the season. Miami’s second drive was cut short when Ward tried to make something happen on the run resulting in a pick by Shemar James who pounced on the slight deflection. The defense stepped up forcing Mertz and company to settle for a 41-yard field goal. Down 10-3 with less than nine minutes left in the half, the defense made another stop when the Gators went for it on fourth and five on the Miami 42.

THE CANES ARE DRYING UP THE SWAMP 😬 pic.twitter.com/YzERmGLyBT

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) August 31, 2024

UM capitalized with a Fletcher 10-yard TD run making it 17-3. Despite the lead Florida did not go away just yet. Montrell Johnson Jr., broke free for the 71-yard score causing a temporary momentum shift. Instead of playing it safe, the Canes responded via a 24-yard TD courtesy of Restrepo cashing in on busted coverage. Leading 24-10 at halftime the Hurricanes were the first visiting team to have a 14-point halftime lead at The Swamp since Missouri (20-0) in 2014.

Fletcher scored again on a one-yard TD extending the lead 31-10. With 6:08 remaining in the third quarter the dagger came. On third and 11 at the Florida 23-yard-line, Ward found Jacolby George at the back of the end zone effectively putting the game out of reach.

Impressions

It’s premature to say The U is back, however, the boys made quite the statement. The Miami Hurricanes avenged their 2019 loss to the Florida Gators and then some firing on all cylinders. Ward seemed a little too lackadaisical for my taste early on but the guy is calm and collected in his work. Elsewhere Martinez showed off some power running breaking a tackle to start the second quarter. I was also really happy that McCormick got first dibs in the endzone, he truly deserved it. Over on defense Akheem Mesidor and Simeon Barrow Jr were among the standouts on a largely successful day for the unit.

HE GOT 'EM CONFUSED 🫨

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— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 31, 2024

There remains some cleaning up to do. For example, the Ward interception seemed like an avoidable incident. Then there was the miscue that allowed Montrell Johnson to run amok. Lastly, Andy Borregales missed a 45-yard field goal in the fourth that left me shaking my head. Although it is week 1 and a win is a win, this won’t fly against significantly stronger opponents. The hype remains high and so does the bar.

HOUSE. CALL. @Trellll_3

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— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 31, 2024