The Miami Hurricanes kicked off their 2024 college football season in dominant fashion, securing a commanding 41-17 victory over their in-state rivals, the Florida Gators, on the road.
More news: ACC Team Loses Starting Quarterback For Season After First Game
Entering the season as one of the favorites to win the ACC title, Miami not only solidified their place in that conversation but also put themselves firmly in the national championship discussion.
Xavier Restrepo #7 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. Miami stomps Florida in Week 1 on the road.
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
With this impressive win, the No. 19 ranked Hurricanes are likely to climb in the rankings as they head into Week 2, and deservedly so.
Leading the charge for Miami was former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward, who made an immediate impact in his debut with the Hurricanes. Ward threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns, quickly inserting himself into the early Heisman Trophy conversation.
He even taunted the Gators, hiring the signature Florida Gator chomp celebration.
Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo also shining, racking up over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. Miami’s offense was firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a 24-10 lead by halftime. They then put the game out of reach with two more touchdowns in the third quarter, leaving the Gators with little chance of a comeback.
The lone highlight for Florida came in the second quarter when Montrell Johnson broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run. However, outside of that moment, the Gators struggled to find any rhythm, especially after starting quarterback Graham Mertz was forced to leave the game following a hard hit that came after an interception.
True freshman DJ Lagway, who came in as Mertz’s replacement, showed promise, leading the Gators on a scoring drive that resulted in their final points of the game. Lagway, a highly-touted recruit and the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country, might see more playing time moving forward, especially with Mertz’s status uncertain.
For Miami, this Week 1 victory is more than just an early-season win—it’s a statement. While it’s easy to overreact to a strong performance in the opening game, the Hurricanes demonstrated that they have the talent and determination to make a serious run this season.
Miami’s schedule is favorable as they will face one ranked opponent all season, the Florida State Seminoles, who lost in upset fashion last week to Georgia Tech.
With Ward leading the offense and a solid supporting cast, Miami could be on the verge of a special year. It’s early, but it might just be time to say that “The U” is back.
More news: College Football: What to Know About New 12-Team Playoff Format
