The Miami Hurricanes visited Gator Country and brought a category 1 hurricane to Gainesville…that is jersey number one Cam Ward.
Ward threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns, leading no.19 Miami Hurricanes over the Florida Gators 41-17 in the season opener for both teams.
“He is not bad; he is a special guy who is just scratching the surface,” Hurricane head coach Mario Cristobal said.
Ward became the first Miami QB since at least 1979 to throw for 300 yards in his first start with the team.
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Miami star defensive end Reuben Bain left the field after the first series and never returned. Cristobal said he has a “soft-tissue injury” that will sideline him for a “week, maybe two.”
Bain had 7½ sacks last season and was projected to be one of the best defenders in the country as a sophomore.
The coaching seat is heating up for Gators head coach Billy Napier. His team allowed 529 total yards of offense to the Hurricanes on their home field. The Gators had 49 total passing yards in the first half.
“We’ve got a decision to make. I think we have — that’s what I just told them. There are no excuses. Keep our mouths shut, show up, and work. We have to do better,” Napier said. “Keep it simple. That’s how I feel. I do think that our players will show up and they will respond.”
Napier fell to 11-15 in Gainesville, including 2-10 against ranked opponents.
Florida had their NCAA-best 34 consecutive home opener win streak snapped. A streak that dated back to a 24-19 loss to Ole Miss in 1989. The Gators were 32-2 overall in season openers over that span.
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