The Hurricanes dominated their non-conference schedule. Can they do the same in ACC play?

For Mario Cristobal, a sequence in the fourth quarter of his Miami Hurricanes’ 50-15 blowout win over the USF Bulls perfectly encapsulates how he wants his team to perform.

USF, trailing by 21, was driving into Miami territory and got as close as the UM 13-yard line. Bulls backup quarterback Bryce Archie dropped back to pass and lofted a pass into the end zone, but Hurricanes safety Mishael Powell came up with the interception, his feet barely staying inbounds.

The offense then marched 80 yards down the field on 10 plays, capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cam Ward to Xavier Restrepo to put Miami up by four scores.

“That’s the brand of football we want to play,” Cristobal said.

They’ve been playing a lot of that so far this season.

Miami swept through its non-conference slate, with dominant wins over the Florida Gators (41-17), Florida A&M Rattlers (56-9), Ball State Cardinals (62-0) and now USF.

It has the Hurricanes in a perfect spot heading into Atlantic Coast Conference play, which for Miami begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Virginia Tech at Hard Rock Stadium.

“The only thing that can stop us,” quarterback Cam Ward said, “is us.”

Dominant start

Just how dominant have the Hurricanes been to begin the season?

Their 209 points scored are the most through four games to begin a season in school history.

Moreover, Miami has scored at least 50 points in three consecutive games for the first time in school history.

That offensive success starts with Ward, who is proving to be one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy. His 14 passing touchdowns lead the country and his 1,439 passing yards are second only to Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart (1,554).

“He’s incredible,” wide receiver Isaiah Horton said. “I knew that from a jump. As soon as he got on campus, he just made his mark instantly, and it’s amazing.”

But Ward will be quick to counter that his success is only possible because of his supporting cast.

Miami’s position player depth has been on full display all season. The Hurricanes have 16 players with at least one catch this season and six players with at least 100 receiving yards, led by senior Xavier Restrepo (20 catches, 362 yards, five receiving touchdowns). Five players have rushing touchdowns, led by Damien Martinez’s four and three apiece by Jordan Lyle and Mark Fletcher.

And perhaps most importantly to Ward, the offensive line has been steady amid a rash of injuries. Starting left tackle Jalen Rivers hasn’t played since the season opener. Nor has Ryan Rodriguez, who rotated at left guard with Matt McCoy. Anez Cooper missed time against Ball State.

“They’re moving boys left and right,” Ward said. “The trenches are the reason why we’re 4-0.”

And the defense has been just as stout. There have been a couple lapses at times that have led to the opponent getting the occasional big play, but they tend to buckle down when things matter the most.

Take Saturday against USF as the most prominent example.

The Hurricanes held the Bulls to just one touchdown despite USF reaching the red zone four times. The only time USF scored a touchdown was when it was given a short field following a first-half interception, a play in which a Ward pass bounced out of Jacolby George’s hands and landed in a USF defender’s arms.

The Bulls had to settle for four field goal tries on their drives that began in their territory. Nico Gramatica had makes of 58 and 51 yards, while John Cannon hit one from 45 yards after a 19-play, 66-yard drive that stalled after the Miami defense recorded back-to-back sacks. The fourth attempt? A 31-yarder from Cannon that went wide right that allowed Miami to go into halftime up 22-15.

The defense locked in after that, holding USF scoreless in the second half while giving up just 143 yards and intercepting a pair of passes.

“These guys are always on the urge to dominate,” said linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, who had a team-high 11 tackles on Saturday. “They have the same mindset from beginning to end, always looking forward to playing to the best of their ability.”

Moving up in the polls

The Hurricanes’ success has been reflected in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Miami checked in at No. 7 in the latest edition of the AP poll on Sunday, up one spot from last week.

Miami began the season ranked No. 20 before moving up to No. 12 after Week 1, No. 10 after Week 2 and No. 8 after Week 3.

The full top 10: No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Tennessee (up one spot), No.6 Ole Miss (down one spot) No. 7 Miami (up one spot), No. 8 Oregon, No. 9 Penn State (up one spot) and No. 10 Utah (up two spots).

Miami is one of three ranked Atlantic Coast Conference teams, along with No. 15 Louisville and No. 17 Clemson.

Can it continue?

The Hurricanes’ focus at this point isn’t with what they have accomplished. It’s about what’s still left to achieve.

Remember, Miami started last season 4-0 as well before things fell apart in conference play — the Hurricanes went 3-5 against ACC opponents.

But ask around the team, and there’s a sense that things are different this year.

“Everybody’s together,” Mauigoa said. “I think this team is very connected, very good atmosphere to be in. Always around each other, and that’s what creates the bond between us. We love each other so hard that it translates on the field.”

Added Cristobal: “Nobody’s content. We’re excited about the progress. We’re enthused and drive, but we just want to get back to work.”