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Miami Hurricanes Triumph Over Florida Gators in Season Opener
In an impressive display at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, the Miami Hurricanes demonstrated their strength on the field, overpowering the Florida Gators with a commanding 41-17 victory. This matchup, traditionally challenging for visiting teams, proved no obstacle for the No. 19 Hurricanes under the leadership of quarterback Cam Ward.
Making his debut for Miami after transferring from Washington State, Ward delivered a standout performance, throwing for 385 yards and completing three touchdown passes. His efforts resulted in a quarterback rating of 95.7, showcasing his readiness to lead the Hurricanes this season.
After the game, Ward offered some thoughts on the atmosphere in the stadium, addressing the Gators’ fans directly. “Advice to the fans: If you’re going to be loud, you have to be loud when we’re huddling,” he remarked. “You can’t just be loud once we break the huddle. By that time, it’s no point. We hear the play and we’ve communicated already.”
Ward, who previously played at institutions like Incarnate Word, expressed that he had encountered louder environments in other stadiums. Citing experiences at venues like USC and Oregon, he noted the misconception surrounding the Pac-12, stating, “The Pac-12, that’s where I believe real football is played… Washington was one of the loudest environments I’ve played in.”
This transfer acquisition was highly anticipated, with Ward being one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the transfer portal. Analysts view him as a potential NFL prospect, and his performance will be a key factor as Miami looks to enhance its football program. Notably, the Hurricanes have not seen a quarterback drafted in the first three rounds since Steve Walsh was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in 1989. The last Miami quarterback taken in the draft was Brad Kaaya in 2017, chosen by the Detroit Lions.
Looking ahead, the Hurricanes will return home for their next game, facing Florida A&M as they aim to build on this early-season success.
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