Hurricanes Overcome Weather Turn in a Complete Win

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Despite mother nature getting in the way on Sept. 14, the 10th-ranked Miami Hurricanes (3-0) turned in a complete win against the Ball State Cardinals (1-1) 62-0. After more than two hours in delays, the Week 3 matchup got underway in Hard Rock Stadium. The result was a dominant win by the Hurricanes and quarterback Cam Ward over the Cardinals.

What Happened in the Game

After the weather delay, the Hurricanes forced a quick punt by the Cardinals. The Hurricanes went 71 yards on the ensuing drive to open the scoring with a field goal and never looked back. Despite having a punt in the first half, the Hurricanes had four-of-seven possessions end with a touchdown as they raced to a 31-0 lead at the break. The second half brought more of the same, with the Hurricanes keeping their foot on the gas. Ward wrapped up his night in the third quarter with his fifth touchdown pass. He finished 19-of-28 for 346 yards.

Wide receiver Jacolby George emerged as the go-to target for the game hauling in 6 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown in his biggest offensive output of the season. Ward and quarterback Emory Williams spread the ball around well as they connected with 12 different receivers on a combined 30-of-40 for 507 yards and 6 touchdowns. The defense for the Hurricanes, led by Simeon Barrow Jr. was stifling for the Cardinals offense sacking quarterback Kadin Semonza four times as they held the offense to 115 total yards.

Player of the Game

Hurricanes Defense

While this game was an expected win for the Hurricanes and head coach Mario Cristobal, the defense dominated. Barrow Jr. and Francisco Mauigoa led the charge totaling 10 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 2 pass deflections in the game. The defense was in attack mode for the full 60 minutes and didn't let the Cardinals get anything going on offense as they flew to the ball and played physically. The Hurricanes shut down the rushing game entirely for the Cardinals holding them to 6 yards for the game.

What the Outcome Means for Canes, Cardinals

For the Hurricanes, it was a commanding win against an overpowered team in Ball State. The team took care of business on both offense and defense in the lopsided win. While the Hurricanes appear in midseason form already, they have one more tune-up against the USF Bulls on Sept. 21 before they begin their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule. If the first three games of the season are any indication, the Hurricanes are poised to enter their conference schedule undefeated.

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

For the Cardinals of Ball State, at 1-1 after the loss, the season is not lost for the head coach Mike Neu and his team. The weather issue aside, the offense struggled to move the ball at all wether on the ground or in the air. With a road conference game against Central Michigan (1-2) on Sept. 21, some changes may be in order.