Cam Ward rewrites Miami record book in win over Wake Forest

Miami, Florida – Cam Ward capped off Senior Day in style breaking Bernie Kosar’s single-season passing yard and completion record in the win over Wake Forest. The Heisman hopeful completed 27 of 38 passes for 280 yards raising the season tally to 3,774 yards on 268 completions. Kosar threw for 3,642 yards on 262 completions back in 1984. Ward also recorded two touchdowns with a third on the ground and an interception. With 34 TDs this year, Ward already holds the Hurricanes’ single-season record for touchdown passes.

Happy Senior Day!#GoCanespic.twitter.com/3F4VQkyRRw

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) November 23, 2024

The eighth-ranked Hurricanes scored on the opening drive with a 13-yard toss to Jacolby George. The Demon Deacons responded after converting on 3rd and 11 with Hank Bachmeier hitting freshman Micah Mays Jr., for the 36-yard strike. Andres Borregales helped retake the lead with a 40-yard field goal late in the first quarter. Midway through the second, a whiplash of events saw momentum swing both ways. Mishael Powell came up with the 76-yard pick-six followed by Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne pulling off a 100-yard kick-off return TD leaving Canes fans stunned. UM led 20-14 at halftime.

The Hurricanes pulled away with 22 points in the final period. Ward and Jordan Lyle rushed into the endzone, complemented by George’s second TD. Lyle led the running game with 115 yards on seven carries. Damien Martinez, meanwhile, got the bulk of the work with 16 carries for 63 yards. George wrapped up the game with seven catches for 91 yards while Elijah Arroyo accumulated six receptions for 79 yards. Xavier Restrepo had a touchdown pass nullified in the first quarter due to a pass interference on George. X finished with five catches for 45 yards and a fumble. With the win, Miami improves to 10-1 with a trip to Syracuse next to end the 2024 regular season.

Cam Ward SHOWED OUT in Miami's win over Wake Forest 👏 pic.twitter.com/kM1xLX5BCG

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 24, 2024

Takeaways

Defense stepped up

Fans have been dying to see a play like this for WEEKS. Great pick-six by Mishael Powell. It's a huge momentum shifter.#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/CoFqAH7TP4

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) November 23, 2024

Let’s give credit where it’s due. The defense really improved itself after the first drive. The Deacs somehow converted on 3rd and 11 with a running play before Bachmeier hit a wide-open Mays for his second touchdown reception of the season. At the time, it appeared the unit learned nothing during the bye week. The doubt was erased when Powell intercepted the pass taking it to the house with the pick-six and from there on out the defense shut down the visitors. The unit forced four three-and-outs and two turnovers on downs in addition to five sacks including one from Mishael. Powell also had three tackles and two pass breakups. With that said, it is Wake Forest. The defense was expected to do a good job. Let’s see it against Syracuse and at the ACC Championship if they make it.

Jordan Lyle shows a glimpse of the future

ANGRY RUN BY JORDAN LYLE!!!!

The TRUE FRESHMAN JUST WENT OVER 100 YARDS! pic.twitter.com/Vt4PIpJ3JL

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) November 23, 2024

The matchup showed the future is bright for the running back position. Lyle led the way in the ground game versus the Demon Deacons hitting the centennial mark for the second time this season. The freshman has racked up 361 yards on 42 carries tallying four TDs in the process. The last time he surpassed 100+ yards was at USF. I look forward to seeing more of him in the coming years. Right now the RB Corps is the least of my concerns in the short term.

Seniors help propel Canes to victory

Gonna miss him in a Canes uni https://t.co/IAUFxccm66

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) November 23, 2024

The fellas pulled off one last hurrah ending the 2024 home schedule. Ward kept on breaking records while George hauled in two scores and Borregales kept on kicking making all four PATs and nailing two field goals.  The contributions of others such as Powell, Francisco Mauigoa, Akheem Mesidor, and others led to Miami’s 10th dub of the year. We haven’t seen that since 2017 and we all know what happened that last time.