MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — No. 5 Miami extended its early-season dominance with a 49-12 rout of No. 18 South Florida on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, overcoming a 102-minute lightning delay and delivering a statement win behind quarterback Carson Beck, running back Mark Fletcher Jr., and a stingy defense.
The Hurricanes (3-0) jumped out to a 28-6 lead before halftime and never looked back.
Beck completed 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Fletcher powered the ground game with 121 yards on 16 carries and three scores.
Beck opened Miami’s scoring with a 13-yard completion to Tony Johnson, then connected with Joshua Moore for a 39-yard touchdown to make it 14-3.
South Florida (2-1) answered with a field goal after quarterback Byrum Brown scrambled for a first down and connected with Chad Nimrod, setting up Nico Gramatica’s 28-yard kick that trimmed the deficit to 14-6.
The Hurricanes quickly regained control. Fletcher took a short pass for 20 yards and then broke free on the next play for a 38-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 21-6.
Beck later capped a short-field drive with a quarterback keeper, pushing the advantage to 28-6 before halftime.
Miami’s defense also shined. Freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald recorded his second career interception, while linebacker Chase Smith and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten keyed critical third-down stops. The Hurricanes out-rushed the Bulls 131-18 in the first half.
In the second half, defensive back Jacobe Thomas forced a fumble on Brown, recovered by Smith, setting up Fletcher’s 13-yard touchdown run — his second of the day — that made it 35-6.
South Florida finally broke through with its first touchdown in the fourth quarter when Brown found Christian Neptune on a quick strike. The Bulls failed on a 2-point try, leaving the score 35-12.
Miami responded immediately. Beck hit Johnson on a deep crosser for 51 yards, then connected with tight end Marty Brown on a 1-yard touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 42-12.
Keelan Marion led Miami receivers with six catches for 81 yards. On defense, freshman end Booker Pickett Jr. recorded the first sack of his college career.
Miami’s defense swarmed throughout the game, limiting the Bulls to just 40 yards on 27 rushing attempts — an average of 1.5 yards per carry.
Girard Pringle Jr. scored the second touchdown of his career on a 5-yard run to extend Miami’s lead to 49-12 over USF.
Next Up:
Miami (3-0) will host Florida (1-1) at Hard Rock Stadium next Saturday.
Local 10 Weather Authority 6 p.m. report:
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