It wasn’t nearly the stakes of last week, and it wasn’t flashy for stretches, but the Miami Hurricanes took care of business against Bethune-Cookman 45-3 on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
Carson Beck had himself a HELL of a start to this game. He set the Miami school record for most consecutive completions with 15, shattering Vinny Testaverde’s previous record of 14 from 1986. He finished 22/24 for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns. Yes, it was Bethune-Cookman, but he and his receivers were on the same
frequency, the timing routes were pristine, and the football was where it would have beaten good coverage from quality defenders often.
Mark Fletcher, Jr. led the Canes on the ground with 11 carries for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns. Malachi Toney again led Miami in catches (6) and yards (80), but CJ Daniels had 5 for 73 and 2 touchdown grabs.
The game was one that Miami controlled from the start, but wasn’t one that involved a ton of home run plays. After a three and out by BCC to start the game, Miami went on a 5-play, 90-yard drive that actually did end with a big play. Beck cut it loose to Daniels, and he pulled it in with a defender on him for a 40-yard touchdown.
After another three and out, Miami put together a 9-play, 74-yard drive powered by a 20-yard completion to Tony Johnson. Fletcher broke free and rumbled in from 16 yards out for a 14-0 lead. After another quick punt, Miami went 68 yards in 8 plays with Marty Brown pushing his way across the goal line for a 21-0 lead and some real early breathing room.
The defense allowed an 11-play field goal drive by BCC on their next possession, but Miami put together an 11-play drive of their own to close out the first half. Beck connected with Daniels again, this time for five yards, and Miami was up 28-3 at the half. The extended and lengthy drives by Miami kind of took away the opportunity to really put up a big first half number, but it was still an effective offense on the day.
Beck and the starters played one more drive in the third quarter, and they made it count, going 75 yards for a 35-3 lead. Beck almost got TE Luka Gilbert into the end zone on a 20-yard gain to the 1, but Fletcher got into the end zone for the second time to send the starters to the bench.
Emory Williams came in and led one touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, which was notched when Girard Pringle, Jr. broke through the line and rumbled 30 yards for a touchdown.
Next up for the Canes is a date with a dangerous USF team next weekend that just knocked off the Florida Gators in the Swamp on Saturday.
