Cam Ward tries to become third Miami QB since 2000 to beat UF and FSU
Cam Ward will try to lead Miami to a rare 21st Century double with wins over Florida and Florida State in the same season. Miami won 41-17 at Florida in the 2024 season opener. Brock Berlin is the last Miami quarterback to lead Miami to wins over Florida and Florida State in the same season in 2004.
Berlin also led Miami to wins over Florida and Florida State in 2003. Ken Dorsey led Miami to wins over Florida during the 2000 and 2002 seasons. Berlin and Dorsey are the only QBs to lead Miami to wins over Florida and Florida State in the 21st Century. Florida ended the annual series with Miami after the 1987 season.
Ward completed 26 passes in 35 attempts for 385 yards with three touchdowns and one interception and ran three times for three yards as Miami earned an easy victory in the 2024 season opener at Florida. Ward has thrown for over 300 yards and multiple TDs in every game in 2024.
Dorsey completed 38 passes in 72 attempts for 472 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions with five carries for 15 yards combined in the wins over Florida in 2000 and 2002. Miami beat Florida 37-20 in the 2001 Sugar Bowl and 41-16 in Gainesville during the 2002 season.
Florida State and Miami have one of the most even rivalries in CFB. 🍢🙌
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) August 10, 2024
All-time record:
• 35-33 Miami
Last 6 meetings:
• Tied 3-3
Last 8 meetings:
• Tied 4-4
Last 25 meetings:
• 13-12 FSU
Largest margin of victory:
• FSU: 47-0 (1997)
• Miami: 47-0 (1976)
Longest win… pic.twitter.com/2oDX7BqfM0
In the 2000 and 2002 wins over Florida State combined to clinch the unofficial state title, Dorsey completed 47 passes in 87 attempts for 690 yards with four TDs and six interceptions. Dorsey was also 14-27 for 249 yards with three TDs and no interceptions as Miami beat Florida State 49-27 in 2001.
Berlin had the rare experience of playing for Florida and Miami. Miami staged one of the biggest comebacks in program history when they rallied from a 33-13 deficit to defeat Florida 38-33 in 2003 led by Berlin. Berlin was 40-65 for 511 yards, three TDs and three interceptions in beating Florida twice with Miami.
Versus Florida State, Berlin completed 49 passes in 93 attempts for 593 yards with two TDs and six interceptions in leading Miami to three straight wins over Florida State in 2003 and 2004. Florida State and Miami played twice in 2004 including their only postseason meeting in the 2004 Orange Bowl game.
Ward has cemented his legacy in Miami history with an exhilarating 2024 season through seven games. If Ward leads Miami to wins over Florida and Florida State in 2024 it will add to the legacy he is building. Big games are what builds legacies and at the very least Ward is expected to be a Heisman Trophy finalist in December.