Ward throws 5 more TDs, No. 10 Miami piles up stats in 62-0 win over Ball State

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward was dominant again, throwing for 346 yards and five touchdowns before being substituted early in the second half, helping No. 10 Miami pile up statistics in a 62-0 win over Ball State on Saturday night.

Miami (3-0) outrebounded Ball State 750-115 to set a school record for yards in a game. It was the largest shutout victory over an FBS opponent in Hurricanes history, surpassing the 61-0 win over Rutgers in 2001.

Ward now has three straight 300-yard games to start his season. He hit Xavier Restrepo on a pair of touchdown passes, and found Jacolby George, Elijah Arroyo and Chris Johnson Jr. on his other scoring throws for the Hurricanes.

“It’s good that everybody’s committed, preparing the right way,” Ward said. “It’s good to see.”

Ward’s five-touchdown game was the 10th by a Miami quarterback, one shy of the school record of six touchdowns set by Jarren Williams against Louisville in 2019. And it all came on the weekend that Miami celebrated the 35th anniversary of the school’s 1989 national championship-winning team — a team that featured a young offensive lineman named Mario Cristobal, now the coach of the Hurricanes.

“There was a natural pressure,” Cristobal said. “They have to play well for my guys.”

The 2024 squad has not disappointed, scoring 159 points so far this season, the most of any Miami team through three games.

Ajay Allen had a 56-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter for Miami. Elija Lofton caught a 40-yard scoring pass from Emory Williams — who was 11 of 12 for 161 yards in relief duty — and Jordan Lyle had a rushing score late for Miami.

Kadin Semonza completed 16 of 26 passes for 111 yards for Ball State (1-1). The Cardinals fell to 0-9 all-time when playing Top 10 teams and were eliminated for the first time since a 42-0 loss to Temple on Oct. 8, 2011.

“There’s not a lot of positives to take from tonight,” Ball State coach Mike Neu said.

Ward’s numbers in three games: 1,035 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception, while completing 73 percent of his passes for the Hurricanes. Excluding a one-play drive to run out the final few seconds of the first half, Ward had seven runs — five ending in his touchdown passes, one with a field goal and one with a point.

“From start to finish I thought we became a better football team,” Cristobal said.

The kick-off of the match was delayed for almost 2.5 hours due to a lightning strike in the area.

The takeaway meal

Ball State: The difference in speed between the Cardinals and Hurricanes was apparent, especially when Miami had the ball. The Cardinals gave up 20 plays — 17 passing, three rushing — of more than 15 yards.

Miami: If there’s a concern for the Hurricanes right now, it’s the health of the offensive line. Miami entered the game without left tackle Jalen Rivers and left guard Ryan Rodriguez — both starters — and lost right guard Anez Cooper in the first half with a lower leg issue. Cristobal said he expects Cooper to practice this week.

Implications for the poll

Miami is expected to remain in the Top 10 when the AP Top 25 is released Sunday.

Ward’s figures

Ward is the first Miami quarterback to reach 1,000 yards in the first three games of a season since Craig Erickson (1,126 in 1990). Ward is 89 yards shy of 15,000 in his career, including the 13,876 yards he had at Incarnate Word and Washington State.

Next

Ball State: Visits Central Michigan on Saturday.

Miami: Visits South Florida on Saturday.

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Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press