Miami outlasts Louisville with another big day offensively

Miami outlasted Louisville with another huge day offensively to improve to 7-0.
Oct 19, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) passes to wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (7) against the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) passes to wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (7) against the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images / Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
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Miami gained 538 yards, Cam Ward ran for 319 yards and four touchdowns without an interception and the Hurricanes ran for 222 yards and two scores in a 52-45 win at Louisville on Saturday afternoon. The game also included another call that fans nationally will question.

With 4:45 left in the fourth quarter, Cam Ward was hit while throwing, Louisville scooped the ball up and returned it 67 yards to the end zone. The referees let the play remain live. It appeared Miami players stopped. After a review, the call was overturned and the pass attempt was ruled incomplete.

Ward's arm was coming forward. Nine plays later Damien Martinez had a 30-yard touchdown run to extend the Miami lead to 52-38. Martinez finished with 12 carries for 89 yards and a TD, Mark Fletcher had 13 carries for 73 yards with four receptions for 26 yards and Ajay Allen generated 38 yards of offense.

Xavier Restrepo led the Miami receivers with seven receptions for 101 yards and a TD. Restrepo also recovered an onside kick with 53 seconds remaining to clinch the game. Sam Brown had his best game for Miami with three receptions for 125 yards and a TD.

The game turned out to be as high-scoring and wild as expected. After Miami extended their 24-17 halftime lead to 31-17 on a Restrepo TD reception, Caulin Lacy returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a TD. Following a Miami fumble, Tyler Shough threw a 21-yard TD pass to Ja'Corey Brooks 1:07 later to tie the score at 31.

As they did throughout the game, Miami answered. Miami had a six-play, 75-yard drive in 3:40 that culminated with a two-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Isaiah Horton. Ward's four TD passes went to four different receivers. Louisville and Miami continued to exchange scores on the next two drives.

Miami finally forced a punt and went two scores up on the next drive when Martinez scored. Miami scored 50 points for the fourth time this season. The Hurricanes have exceeded 500 yards in every game this season. Miami will host 1-6 Florida State with a 7:00 PM kickoff on ESPN next Saturday.

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