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Miami record setting performances offensively and defensively beating Ball State

The 62-0 Miami win over Ball State on Saturday night will be remembered for the record-setting night by Cam Ward and the Miami offense, but the defense set their own marks versus the Cardinals.

By Alan Rubenstein

Sep 14, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on from the field before the game against the Ball State Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on from the field before the game against the Ball State Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Miami set standards offensively and defensively in their most complete game of the season during a 62-0 win over Ball State on Saturday night. Cam Ward hit several milestones and the defense was dominant throughout the game as Miami looked like the top-10 team they are in the win.

Ward completed 19-28 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions playing only one series into the second half. The five touchdown passes were a career high and Ward became the first player in ACC history to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in his first three games.

Ward led a Miami offense that set a program record with 750 total yards. Miami broke the previous program record when they had 739 yards in a 69-0 win over Central Connecticut State in 2021. The 115 yards Miami allowed versus Ball State were the least against an FBS team since Central Florida had 78 in 2008.

Miami held Ball State to 109 passing yards, six rushing yards, nine first downs, 2,2 yards per play, 6.1 yards per completion, stopped the Cardinals on 11 of their 12 third down attempts and had nine tackles for loss and four sacks. Those numbers against any FBS program are dominant and impressive.

Miami earned its first shutdown since the win over CCSU. It was the first shutout by Miami over an FBS program since a 48-0 win over Duke in 2020. Duke had 220 total yards in that game and had five turnovers that included four fumbles. Ball State had one turnover on Saturday night.

Miami has now scored 159 points in their first three games. That is the most Miami has scored through its first three games in program history. The 2002 team, which finished the regular season undefeated, scored 148 points in wins over Florida A&M, Florida and Temple.

Ward led a Miami offense in which he had 346 yards passing, Ajay Allen finished with seven carries for 104 yards and a touchdown rushing and Jacolby George added six receptions for 109 yards and a score. Ward was one TD shy of Jarren Williams' program high with six versus Louisville in 2019.

Cam Ward leads dominant Miami performance over Ball State. Cam Ward leads dominant Miami performance over Ball State. dark. Next

Miami has outscored Florida, Florida A&M and Ball State 159 to 26 through their first three games. The Hurricanes entered Saturday 11th nationally averaging 48.5 points per game. Miami was 34th allowing 13 PPG. Miami is now averaging 53.0 PPG and allowing 8.67 ahead of its game at South Florida next Saturday night.

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