Miami Scored First For the First Time Since Beating Florida

Miami scored on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Carson Beck to JoJo Trader to take a 7-0 lead over SMU on Saturday. That was the first time Miami scored first in a game since they beat Florida 26-7 on September 20. Miami also led at the end of the first quarter for the first time since beating Florida State on October 4.

Miami stopped SMU on downs on the Mustangs' first drive of the game. That was also the first time since Miami beat Florida that an opponent did not score on the opening drive of the game. SMU drove to the Miami 38 before SMU tight end R.J. Maryland fumbled a handoff and Miami recovered on fourth down.

Florida State had an 11-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a 23-yard field goal by Jake Weinberg to give the Seminoles a 3-0 lead. Miami answered with a nine-play 79-yard drive in 4:51 that was completed with a nine-yard Carson Beck to C.J. Daniels TD to put Miami in front to stay, 7-3.

Miami led Florida State 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. The Hurricanes added another TD in the second quarter and two in the third to extend their lead to 28-3 after three quarters. Florida State rallied with 19 points in the fourth quarter, but Miami recovered three onside kicks that led to their win.

Louisville scored touchdowns on its first two drives of the game with a Miami three-and-out in between as the Cardinals led 14-0. Miami scored a TD on its second drive of the game against Louisville to cut the deficit to 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Miami rallied to cut the deficit to 24-21 in the fourth quarter. Driving to potentially tie the game and force overtime, Beck threw an interception on the final drive at the Louisville 30 to ice the game for the Cardinals.

Miami did not trail during its first four games of the 2025 season. The first-quarter field goal drive by Florida State in the fifth game of the season for Miami was the first time the Hurricanes trailed in 2025.