5 Cam Ward TDs and shutdown defense leads to historic 62-0 Hurricanes blowout of Ball State

The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes had to wait through nearly two-and-a-half hours of lightning delays before kicking off their home game against Ball State on Saturday.

Once the game finally began, they wasted little time asserting their dominance, as was expected in this non-conference matchup, and putting up a historic performance in the process.

The final score from a soggy Hard Rock Stadium: Hurricanes 62, Ball State 0.

The 62 points were the most Miami (2-0) scored in a shutout of a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in program history. It was also the Hurricanes’ first shutout of an FBS team in general since its 33-0 win over Georgia Tech on Nov. 6, 2021.

Also, the 750 yards of total offense are the most in a game in UM history. Their previous mark against an FBS opponent was 689 on Dec. 5, 1998, in a 49-45 win over UCLA. Meanwhile, their 507 passing yards are the second-most in a game in school history, behind 566 against NC State on Sept. 29, 2012.

Through three games, the Hurricanes have outscored their opponents 159-26. The 159 points are the most by a UM team through its first three games of a season.

“From start to finish, I thought we became a better football team,” Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said.

Here’s the quick synopsis of how the Hurricanes’ latest blowout unfolded.

Cam Ward leads the offense

As has been the case in the early going of the season, quarterback Cam Ward led the charge.

This time, though, it was a personal-best effort.

Ward completed 19 of 28 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.

It’s the first time in Ward’s career that he has thrown five touchdowns in a game at the FBS level. He previously had three games with four touchdown passes while with Washington State.

Ward also became the first Hurricanes quarterback to begin a season with three consecutive 300-yard performances.

Ward threw touchdown passes of 21 yards (Xavier Restrepo), 37 yards (Chris Johnson), 21 yards (Elijah Arroyo) and 21 yards (Restrepo) in the first half. His fifth touchdown was from 17 yards to Jacolby George to start the third quarter.

Even more, he completed passes to eight different receivers, seven of whom had at least one catch that went for 20 yards.

George led all receivers with six catches for 109 yards — his third career 100-yard receiving game.

Emory Williams took over at quarterback on Miami’s second drive of the third quarter and the full second team followed him one drive later.

Miami still racked up another 24 points on the first four drives Williams led — a 32-yard field goal from Andres Borregales (his second field goal of the game), a 56-yard rushing touchdown from Ajay Allen, a 40-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Elija Lofton and a 7-yard rushing touchdown from Jordan Lyle.

New-look defensive line leads the defense

Defensively, the Hurricanes’ transfer-laden defensive line paved the way.

In addition to the shutout, Miami recorded nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, four sacks, five pass breakups and an interception.

The majority of that production came from the defensive line.

▪ Simeon Barrow Jr., who transferred in from Michigan State, had four tackles, including one-and-a-half sacks.

▪ Elijah Alston, who transferred in from Marshall, had three tackles, one sack and one interception.

▪ Tyler Baron, who transferred in from Tennessee, had one-and-a-half tackles for loss, a half sack and a pair of quarterback hurries.

Overall, Miami held Ball State to just 115 yards (including 6 rushing yards) and a 1 for 12 conversion rate on third down.