Cam Ward should have another big game at South Florida
Cam Ward will have a chance to throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns for the fourth straight game as Miami plays against a porous South Florida pass defense on Saturday in Tampa. South Florida is 94th nationally allowing 237.7 passing yards per game.
Ward became the first QB in ACC history to throw for over 300 yards and have three TD passes in his first three games. South Florida allowed only 316 passing yards in their first two games. That included only 194 passing yards by Jalen Milroe of Alabama in a 42-16 Crimson Tide win.
Southern Mississippi threw for 397 yards two TDs and an interception versus South Florida in a 49-24 defeat last week. After taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter had to play from behind from early in the second quarter. Miami leaned on its passing game in the first half versus Ball State as Ward threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns.
Ward is first nationally with 11 TD passes, second with 1,035 passing yards, fourth with a 209.25 passer rating and third averaging 11.6 yards per attempt. South Florida is 103rd nationally allowing 7.8 yards per attempt and 83rd allowing a 129.45 opponent passer rating.
Ward stated to reporters on Wednesday he expects South Florida to be one of the most physical teams Miami has played this season. South Florida is tied for eighth nationally with 27 tackles for loss and 16th with nine sacks. The competition between the Miami offensive line and South Florida defensive line will be critical on Saturday.
Miami is 17th nationally allowing eight tackles for loss and 36th allowing three sacks. Ward excels when a play breaks down. If Ward is allowed time to throw he will pick apart the South Florida defense. Cornerback Aamaris Brown-Bunkley who was second-team preseason All-ACC by Athlon is a player to watch for South Florida.
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South Florida played Alabama tough for three quarters before the Crimson Tide scored 21 points in the final five minutes. Ward should continue to put up big numbers. The Miami offense and Ward are on a roll right now. Miami scored 159 points this season, the most in the first three games in program history.