Game Four: Miami 49, South Florida 21

Stephen Morris looked healthy early, Duke Johnson ran hard, Stacy Coley pulled down some impressive grabs and three minutes in, Miami led South Florida, 7-0 in Tampa.

The Bulls showed signs of life on the ensuing possession, with the gritty Marcus Shaw tearing off a 44-yard run, setting up the eventual three-yard game-tying score, but after the scoring exchange on the opening possessions, it was all Hurricanes in the 49-21 rout.

Even more impressive than the offense exploding for seven touchdowns—the fact that Miami’s defense continues its dominance. The competition wasn’t exactly fierce for the second straight week, but the Hurricanes defense continued swarming, making plays and setting an early tone.

Thurston Armbrister came up with a big sack on South Florida’s second possession. A drive later, third down pressure caused an errant throw and fourth down punt. A drive later, the a signature moment when Shayon Green slammed quarterback Steven Bench in the endzone and caused a fumble Jimmy Gaines recovered or a touchdown.

Miami 28, South Florida 7 less than five minutes into the second quarter.

Morris came out of the game prior to the Bench turnover, going down after an incomplete pass to Herb Waters on 2nd-and-4 and complaining post-game that South Florida played dirty, going after his bad ankle in the pile-up.

Ryan Williams picked up the slack, hitting Coley for a 33-yard gain, but the drive stalled when Johnson fumbled on the one-yard line, setting up the South Florida possession that ended in the Miami defensive score.

The Canes responded a drive later. Williams went back to work, finding Allen Hurns for a 31-yard gain. Johnson picked up 11, getting Miami to the two-yard line. A fumble by Williams almost spelled disaster, but Maurice Hagans recovered and a play later Johnson punched it in for a 35-7 lead, which UM rode into halftime.

Miami pushed to 49-7 early fourth quarter lead, with South Florida’s only life coming as a result of third string misfires.

Gray Crow entered for Williams, throwing into the mitts of Bulls defensive lineman Julius Forte, who returned the 2nd-and-25 attempt for a score. Williams re-entered and on Miami’s final possession tossed an interception of his own.

South Florida then drove the field in the games final minutes, with Bench tossing a 16-yard touchdowns to Derrick Hopkins as the clock expired—the nine-play, 96-yard drive coming against second and third stringers for Miami.

Weeks back the notion of a 4-0 start was a best-case scenario for the Hurricanes, but it’s since been accomplished. The key to the undefeated start circled around an upset of No. 12 Florida in Week 2 and Miami pulled that out.

Other than the one challenge, it’s been glorified scrimmages for the Canes. Florida Atlantic for the opener. A bye after Florida week and then Savannah State. All followed up in a road trip to South Florida, against a Bulls team that made the Owls look like a bigger challenge.

ACC play gets underway this weekend and Miami is definitely broken in, albeit it not seasons. First stringers haven’t seen full games and some kinks are still getting worked out. That said, the defense has tightened up from last year, which bodes well against Georgia Tech and the triple option that heads south next Saturday.

One-third of the season down, every test past and a slew of new challenges on the horizon. ACC play, a Thursday night showdown, guarding against let downs and before you know it, a little road trip to Tallahassee.

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