Miami Gardens, Fla- It was a long day for the Hurricanes, but it may have been an even longer day for Cardinal fans as they were shut out after a three-hour weather delay. The Miami Hurricanes shut out Ball State University, securing a decisive victory with a recording-setting performance. The Hurricanes ranked No. 10, showcased their offensive and defensive strengths, leaving no room for the Cardinals to make a mark on the scoreboard.
From the opening kickoff, Miami set the tone for the game. Continuing his impressive season, Quarterback Cam Ward led the Hurricanes precisely down the field. Quarterback Cam Ward completed 19 of 28 passes and threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns before being subbed out early in the second half. This game marked Ward’s third consecutive 300-yard performance, making him the first Miami quarterback to achieve this feat at the start of a season. The Hurricanes’ defense was equally strong, preventing Ball State from gaining significant yardage. This shutout marks the first time Ball State has been held scoreless since a 42-0 loss to Temple in 2013.
This game was a testament to Miami’s defensive capabilities. The Hurricanes’ defensive line, led by standout players like Simeon Barrow and Francisco “Kiko” Maugoia, consistently pressured Ball State’s quarterback, resulting in four sacks and negative yards. Coach Cristobal was most impressed with the run-stop defense and the secondary performance. The Cardinals struggled to find a rhythm, and Miami capitalized on their mistakes, keeping them at 116 yards.
Miami’s offense continued to shine in the second half. Running back Aj Allen’s 56-yard TD run (104 total yards) showed his explosiveness, adding to the Hurricanes’ lead. Cam Ward’s connection with his receivers remained strong, with additional touchdown passes extending Miami’s dominance. By the end of the third quarter, the Hurricanes had built a merciful lead.The Hurricanes’ offense was unstoppable, amassing a school-record 750 yards of total offense, with 507 yards coming through the air and 243 on the ground. This offensive explosion included contributions from multiple players:
Xavier Restrepo: Two touchdown receptions
Jacolby George, Elijah Arroyo, and Chris Johnson Jr.: Each caught a touchdown pass
Ajay Allen: Scored on a 56-yard touchdown run
Elija Lofton: Caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback
Miami’s defense was equally impressive, holding Ball State to just 115 yards overall. The Cardinals struggled to move the ball, with quarterback Kadin Semonza completing 16 of 26 passes for only 111 yards.
Coach Mario Cristobal praised his team’s effort, highlighting the balanced attack and relentless defense that defined the game.” From start to finish, we became a better football team; I thought we left the field different than how we entered, finishing drives, three and outs more successfully.” Mario summarized in the presser. This victory marks the largest shutout win against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent in Miami’s storied history, surpassing their 61-0 win over Rutgers in 2011. As Miami looks ahead to the rest of the season, this victory reminds them of their capabilities.
“The Hurricanes are ready to extend their winning streak.” They are looking to take on the (2-1) USF Bulls next week at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bulls are an FBS team that has really been playing its best ball.
